Búseta

Búseta is an Icelandic term meaning the place where a person actually lives most of the time, or their habitual abode. In everyday use it corresponds to the notion of residence or domicile and is used in legal and administrative contexts to designate where a person is considered to reside.

In Iceland, búseta is relevant for official records and public administration. The population register (Þjóðskrá) and tax authorities use búseta to determine where a person is resident for purposes such as the provision of municipal services, eligibility for local programs, and the administration of taxes and social benefits. It helps define the jurisdiction responsible for certain public duties and services.

Búseta can differ from an address used for mail or temporary stays. A person may hold multiple addresses, but only one búseta is recognized for administrative purposes. The establishment of búseta depends on various factors, including where the person spends most of their time, where daily life centers (work, family, education) are located, and the duration of their stay. If there is a dispute over residency, administrative or judicial processes may determine the correct búseta.

See also: domicile, habitual residence, residence.