Leisure Grant Increases – Children from the age of 3 Receive a Grant

Leisure Grant for More Children

The leisure grant for children and youth in Hafnarfjörður increases from 57,000 to 65,000 ISK in the new year. From January 1, children aged three to four will receive the grant for the first time, just like five-year-old children who have received a half grant since the autumn. A half grant amounts to 32,500 ISK per year. Another major change is that parents can now receive the grant paid out in a single lump sum.

“There has been a call from the community to take this approach,” says Valdimar Víðisson, Mayor. He says it is important to start participating in leisure activities and sports as early as possible and make them a lifelong lifestyle. “With this step, we make it easier for parents to fully utilize the opportunities available when it best suits the family.”

The main advantage of the new arrangement compared to the old one is precisely that the full amount now accumulates and can be used when desired, unlike before. Previously, part of the amount was tied to each month and was lost during months when parents were unable to make use of the fixed monthly grant.

“The change is a major matter of fairness,” says Valdimar. “We have seen parents miss out on the leisure grant, but this way it is fully utilized. The change enables parents to use the grant better, increases services for families with children, and provides flexibility, as the amount was previously tied to each month but can now be used all at once, if that suits families better.”

There will be some complexity in the first days of the new year due to the changes, when the payment arrangement with sports clubs is updated. Some families have already committed part of the grant into the new year with their sports club through registration extending into the spring and even autumn 2026. These families will, from January 2, see the remaining amount in the Abler mobile app, minus the grant already allocated in 2025 for courses in 2026. Families who have not selected a leisure activity for their child for the new year will see the full amount, or 65,000 ISK.

The leisure grant to be paid in 2026 will amount to 65,000 ISK for children aged six and older and 32,500 ISK for children five years old and younger.

• More information about the Hafnarfjörður municipal leisure grant