sambúðarfólk

Sambúðarfólk is a term used for people who live together in a sambúð, or cohabitation, without necessarily being married. The word combines sambúð (cohabitation) with fólk (people), and it covers romantic partners who share a residence as well as other adults who form a household for practical or relational reasons.

Cohabitation arrangements vary in duration and structure. Members may pool income and share domestic responsibilities, make joint decisions, or raise children together. The social meaning of sambúðarfólk differs across cultures and over time, and the arrangement can be informal or supported by agreements or formal recognition in some jurisdictions.

Legal recognition and rights for sambúðarfólk depend on the country or region. In many places, cohabiting partners have some protections related to property, inheritance, pensions, or parental rights, either through specific laws, civil unions, or contracts. Other jurisdictions provide limited or no automatic rights, requiring explicit arrangements to secure benefits or formal recognition.

In Icelandic discourse, sambúðarfólk is a common term in sociology and media for couples who live together without marriage. Scholars study trends in cohabitation, family formation, and welfare implications, noting that sambúð can function similarly to marriage in daily life and mutual obligations, even when formal legal recognition differs.