Travel activities in remote parts of Greenland

SPECIAL ATTENTION

Due to warm weather and thereby following melting of the surface of the icecap ALL east-west / west-east crossing of the icecap is as of 28th May 2010 cancelled.

The Government of Greenland has with reference to § 11 in the Executive Order on travel in remote parts of Greenland followed the advice by the Island Command Greenland and the Police and has stopped all east-west / west-east crossing of the icecap between May 28th and September 15th 2010 .

The situation on the icecap will be evaluated during the summer to determine whether it will be secure to reopen the route by September 15th  2010.

Welcome to the official website for expeditions and research projects in remote parts of Greenland

The Government of Greenland, more specifically the Ministry of Domestic Affairs, Nature and Environment, is happy to announce that it has taken over the administration of the Executive Order on Access to and Conditions for Travelling in Certain Parts of Greenland as of the 10^th February 2010.

A permit is required for all expeditions to the area covered by the Executive Order. You can download the Executive Order under Legislations or click HERE for direct access.

Please find a map of the area coveres by the Executive Order and a description of where and when an expedition permit is required under Logistics or click HERE for direct access.

The Ilulissat Icefjord is a World Heritage (UNESCO) Site, hence a preserved area, which requires a separate access permit. Applicants, who would like to be granted access, will need to apply for an exemption of the Government Order No. 10 of 15 June 2007. Find a map over the preserved area of Ilulissat, information about the application process and the application form HERE

All applicants for travel in remote areas of Greenland must now use the new application form found on this very same homepage under Procedure and Forms. It is furthermore strongly recommended to read the cover letter (download under Procedure and Forms), which describes the application process and requirements to obtain a permit. You should read the cover letter even though you have applied for a permit before, since there are several new rules and deadlines. All applications and documents should be send to exp@nanoq.gl.

Please do also note that as of this year applicants must pay a non refundable application fee of 4000 Danish kroner per expedition.

If you have any further questions you are welcome to contact the Greenlandic Ministry of Domestic Affairs, Nature and Environment e-mail: exp@nanqo.gl, phone: +299 34 67 32

Expeditions outside the area covered by the executive order on travel in Greenland may require other permits; e.g.:

- Protected areas, plants, genetic resources, CITES: The Ministry of Internal Affairs, Nature and Environment

- Wildlife and fish: The Ministry of Fisheries, Hunting and Agriculture

- Animal welfare and handling of wildlife: Ministry of Business

- Cultural heritage: Ministry of Culture/Greenland National Museum and Archive

Please note that all activities related to collection and export of rock, soil, sediments, etc. require a permit from the Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum, which can be contacted at bmp@nanoq.gl

Application forms can be downloaded under Procedures and Forms, Additional Permits.