Members can apply for various health and prevention grants from the welfare fund of Báran, a trade union. Payments are made every other Friday. Changes may be made to this, and they will be specially announced on the homepage of the Bar.
To be eligible for the grants listed below, a member must have paid the association the fee equivalent to 100% work, or a pro-rated amount based on part-time employment, as part of the membership dues. the past 6 months unless otherwise stated.
The invoice shall be dated. after that a member's right to benefits accrues in the fund. Grants are not paid for invoices incurred during this 6-month accrual period.
Please note that payment receipts and all certificates must not be older than 1 year (to ensure the rights are valid).
A total of 120,000 krónur in grants is available (Effective June 1, 2026) per twelve-month period for a full-time position.
Changes were made to health and prevention grants, effective June 1, 2026. Calendar years are based on January 1, 2026.
Applications can be submitted on the association's website, and assistance is also available at the association's reception desk at Austurvegur 56, third floor, Selfoss.
By applying, the applicant confirms that they have reviewed the sick fund's rules, including the rules regarding the fund's right of reimbursement.
The applicant also authorizes the staff of Bárunnar, a trade union, to process the applicant's personal information for the benefit of the union and to verify the information provided and other matters related to the application.
Please note!
Additionally, proof of payment for the invoice, showing both the service provider's and the payer's name and ID number, must be submitted. For example, this can be obtained from an Icelandic online bank. The invoice cannot be older than 12 months.
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Procedures for the arrangement of per diem payments and grants
1.1. An electronic application must be submitted to the fund on the designated forms, along with all supporting documents required with the application.
1.2. Electronic applications can be accessed on the website of Bárún, a trade union, at www.baran.is.
1.3. Applications may not be processed unless they are fully and satisfactorily completed and all necessary supporting documents are provided.
1.4. Due to agreements on the transfer of benefits between ASÍ and BSRB member health funds, it is necessary to state on the application any payments from other ASÍ and BSRB member health funds.
1.5. All applications are treated as confidential and in accordance with laws and regulations on personal data protection.
1.6. Upon approval of the application, the member authorizes the association to verify the validity of documents such as receipts and submitted medical certificates, and grants the association the authority to obtain further information on which to base the application's processing.
1.7. Only those who are making or have made contributions to the fund, and for whom contributions are being made at the time the right is established, are entitled to the fund.
1.8. It is prohibited to pay per diems or grants into a bank account in the name of anyone other than the applicant, unless a written, notarized power of attorney is provided.
1.9. If an applicant provides false or misleading information that may affect their eligibility, they may lose their right to benefits from the fund. Recipients may be required to repay benefits or allowances that were fraudulently obtained.
2.1. Applications for per diem and supporting documents must generally be received by the 25th of each month or the last business day beforehand, unless otherwise stated on the association's website.
2.2. Applications for rehabilitation and prevention grants and supporting documents must generally be received by the 15th or 30th of each month, or the last business day beforehand, unless otherwise specified on the association's website.
2.3. Per diems are paid monthly on the first of each month or on the last business day before.
2.4. Grants are paid out every two weeks.
2.5. No exceptions are made to payment dates unless it is clear that an error was made in processing the application and that a payment was not made as a result.
3.1. A properly completed application and the necessary documentation must be submitted for a fund member to receive payment from the fund.
3.2. Completely filled out applications and supporting documents must be received on time; otherwise, processing will be postponed until the next allocation. All fields regarding personal information must be completed. Fund staff may request a translation of certificates, e.g., from a certified document translator. The applicant is responsible for the cost of the translation.
3.3. Bank information must accompany all applications. Since sick fund payments are processed electronically, incorrect account information will result in the payment not being made to the individual in a timely manner.
3.4. Documents that must accompany applications for prevention and rehabilitation grants from the fund:
3.4.1. Detailed invoices with the applicant's name and ID number, which have been duly paid. The invoices must include the date of issue, the issuer's signature/stamp/emblem, along with the issuer's name, job title, ID number, and address or phone number.
3.4.2. Information on the number of visits and dates of treatments where applicable, e.g. physical therapy, massage therapy and chiropractic, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc. that only the fund member has utilized, or the purchase of a product or service that only the fund member has utilized, must be stated on the invoice.
3.4.3. Applications for a grant for alcohol treatment must be accompanied by confirmation of a treatment plan from a treatment provider, an employer's certificate, pay stubs from the last 6 months, and a request for the use of personal exemption.
3.4.4. The Fund reserves the right to request the original invoice that has previously been sent to the Fund before payment is made.
3.4.5. When transferring between ASÍ/BSRB member unions, the applicant must provide a summary of any benefits received from a previous union's health fund within the last 36 months.
3.5. Documents that must accompany applications for per diem from the fund:
3.5.1. Medical Certificate for Sick Pay. When applying for sick pay, a valid medical certificate in Icelandic must be submitted. If the medical certificate is temporary, applicants are advised to renew it and submit it to the Bára Sickness Fund if the inability to work persists longer than the initial certificate indicated. As a general rule, a sick pay certificate should not be older than one month. Certificates for sick pay older than one month from the date entitlement to benefits arose with the fund are generally not accepted when applying for sick pay or benefits, unless special circumstances apply.
3.5.2. Pay stubs for the last six or twelve months, as applicable.
3.5.3. Employer's confirmation that sick pay with the employer has been exhausted and information about the date of the last payment from the employer.
3.5.4. Information on the status of personal allowance utilization from the Director of Tax Administration's withholding tax register, which can be accessed at rsk.is.
3.5.5. Other relevant data, e.g., from the National Insurance Institution, information on payments from other parties.
3.5.6. The applicant must provide a summary of the paid per diems they have received from a previous sick fund of a union within ASÍ or BSRB in the last 12 months.
3.6. Documents that must accompany applications for death benefits from the fund:
3.6.1. Death certificate.
3.6.2. If a member leaves behind children under the age of 18, confirmation from the National Registry of Iceland is required.
3.9. The applicant/beneficiary must provide a summary of any death benefits paid to them from a previous union fund within ASÍ or BSRB in the last 12 months.
4.1. The calculation of per diem is based on calendar days, averaging 30 days per month.
4.2. Payments of per diem benefits for serious illness of children and spouses, as per sections 12.2 and 12.3 of the Sickness Fund's regulations, are only considered for very serious illnesses and must require special care by the member. In case of doubt, such cases are evaluated separately by the fund's board.
4.3. The right to sick and accident benefits will expire if not claimed within twelve months from the date the entitlement arose, and applies only when a member has exhausted benefits from their employer and has no other source of support.
The right to per diem according to articles 12.1, 12.2, and 12.3 of the regulations of the Bárður Sickness Fund is independent and separate.
5.1. Grants are provided to fund members in the form of prevention and rehabilitation grants, and grants for accident and medical expenses.
5.2. Eligibility for grants is based on the calendar year.
5.3. The following grants are paid:
a) Treatment by the following: a licensed physical therapist, a massage therapist, or a chiropractor. 50% of the cost is reimbursed, up to a maximum of 7,000 kr. for the first treatment and 3,500 kr. for each subsequent treatment. Maximum total reimbursement is 80,000 kr. (not dependent on membership fee). A treatment summary must be submitted.
b) Interview with a psychologist, psychiatric nurse, social worker, or family counselor. 50% of the cost is covered, up to a maximum of 10,000, for 12 sessions per year. If the consultation is covered under another discount program (e.g., insurance), this benefit is voided. A treatment summary must be provided.
c) Cancer screening is fully reimbursed (regardless of the membership fee). The maximum reimbursement is 18,000 kr.
d) A general consultation with a cardiologist is reimbursed at 50% of the cost, up to a maximum of kr. 12,500.
e) Stay at the HNLFÍ Health Resort: 50% of the cost will be paid, up to a maximum of 75,000 kr.
f) Purchase of eyeglasses and lenses. 50% of the cost, up to a maximum of 65,000 kr., is reimbursed. The subsidy can be applied for once every 36 months. If the subsidy is not fully used, it can be applied within three years.
g) Laser/Lasik surgery or cataract surgery and hearing aids: A member who has paid membership fees for the last three consecutive years will be reimbursed up to kr. 120,000 for laser procedures, hearing aids, or lens replacement, based on full eligibility (see section 5.6). This is subject to the deduction of any other benefits received during the calendar year.
h) Alcohol Treatment: A fund member may receive per diem pay for one treatment. The per diem amount is based on Article 12.1 of the Sickness Fund's regulations. Payment is made only once per fund member for up to 40 days.
The reimbursement for fitness/health promotion is 50% of the cost, up to a maximum of 55,000. The definition of wellness is recognized sports disciplines according to the ISI – The Icelandic Sports and Olympic Association (http://isi.is/um-isi/vidurkenndar-ithrottagreinar/), and includes training and/or membership fees.
j) Dental Costs: The reimbursement for dental treatment is a maximum of kr. 25,000.
k) Childbirth grant of kr. 120,000. The required documentation is a birth certificate. The entitlement is calculated based on the child's date of birth. Membership fees must have been paid for 12 consecutive months prior to the child's date of birth. The childbirth grant is independent of other grants.
l) For fertility treatments, a one-time payment of up to 60,000 króna will be made. If a member is entitled to payment from another party, their right to this payment is forfeited.
m) Adoption: The fund manager may grant a member a subsidy for adoption-related travel expenses, up to a maximum of 50,000 kr. The application must be accompanied, in addition to other documents, by a copy of the travel ticket and confirmation of the adoption process.
n) Death benefits are paid to the surviving spouse or children of a deceased fund member in accordance with Article 12.4 of the Bárúnni Health Fund's regulations. The benefit amount of kr. 431,117 is based on the consumer price index as of April 1, 2021. If no grant is paid pursuant to Article 12.4 of the Sickness Fund Regulations, death benefits in the same amount shall be paid to the parents of the deceased fund member. The right to death benefits expires if not claimed within 12 months from the date the right was established.
o) A grant of 50,000 krónur for funeral expenses may be provided to members who are not covered by the fund's regulations and are members at the time of their retirement. The condition for receiving the grant is that the deceased was a member of the fund for at least 5 years prior to retirement. The funeral grant is forfeited at age 75. The right to the funeral grant expires if it is not claimed within 6 months of its inception.
5.4. The combined grants under Article 5.3, items a) through n), shall be a maximum of 120,000 krónur per individual for a full-paying member and pro rata where applicable, in accordance with Article 5.6.
5.5. Per diem payments in accordance with sections 12.1, 12.2, and 12.3 of the regulations of the Bárður Sickness Fund of the trade union shall be a maximum of 863,387 per month, based on the wage index as of May 1, 2021, as per section 12.6.
5.6. To be eligible for grants according to section 5.3, a member must have paid their dues to the association for the past 6 months. A full scholarship is based on 100% work at the lowest rate in the collective bargaining agreement between the Federation of Icelandic Trade Unions and the Business Council of Iceland. Rights accrue proportionally if the payment to the association is less than that amount.
Grants pursuant to section 5.3(a) and (c) shall not be tied to membership dues.
5.7. The right to apply for grants expires 6 months after contributions to the association have ceased.
5.8. Eligibility for benefits from the medical fund is established after a member has made contributions to the fund for 6 months. A bill must be dated after the member's eligibility for benefits with the fund has been established. No grants will be paid for bills incurred during this 6-month eligibility period.
Please note that payment receipts must not be older than 1 year to be valid. Validity is based on the date of the invoice. Payment receipts can be sent by email to: baran@baran.is
5.9. The right to per diem payments is forfeited if a fund member has ceased work due to illness or injury and becomes entitled to an old-age, disability, or rehabilitation pension from the Social Security Administration and/or a pension fund.
5.10. If a parent is entitled to an extension of parental leave for reasons related to the pregnancy or birth of a child, the applicant must provide confirmation that their entitlement with the Parental Leave Fund has been fully utilized. The same applies to a parent who is entitled to an extension of parental leave due to the child's serious illness related to birth or the child's severe disability.
6. Changes to these rules
6.1. Amendments to these rules shall only be made at a meeting of the sick fund and must be approved by a simple majority of the votes cast. Proposed amendments to these rules shall be stated in the meeting notice.
The allocation rules take effect on June 1, 2026, and are based on the 2026 calendar year.
Allocation rules were updated and changes were approved at the Sickness Fund meeting on April 14, 2026, presented at the Annual General Meeting on May 11, 2026, and approved.