Sosial, Family and Health issues

The Faroese Board of Appeal handles appeals within social, family, and health issues. This is a very broad area that covers many different types of cases, such as decisions made by the Department of Social Services regarding benefits and services, decisions made by the National Health Insurance of the Faroe Islands concerning health insurance contributions, and decisions made by the Family Law Administration regarding, for example, child support and visitation rights – just to name a few.

In social, family, and health issues, the Faroese Board of Appeal processes appeals regarding:

  • Decisions by the Department of Social Services – e.g. about benefits and services

  • Decisions by the Hospital Service, which are not related to medical treatment – e.g. about travel companions for treatment abroad

  • Decisions by municipal councils regarding child and youth dental care

  • Decisions by the National Health Insurance of the Faroe Islands and the Subsidy Committee under the Act on Public Health Insurance

  • Decisions by municipalities under the Act on Home Services, Elderly Care, etc., and certain decisions under the Child Welfare Act

  • Certain decisions by the Family Law Administration – e.g. concerning child support and visitation

Relevant Considerations
An appeal to the Board of Appeal must, as a general rule, be submitted in writing and be well-reasoned. It is important that the appealed decision and any relevant documentation are submitted to the Board. It is also important to note that the deadline for appeal is usually 4 weeks from the date the decision was received. Extensions to the deadline may be granted in exceptional circumstances if valid reasons are provided.

It is free of charge to appeal a social, family, or health matter to the Faroese Board of Appeal. The aim is always to handle appeals as quickly as possible, but it can be expected to take around 5 months before the case is fully prepared and ready for a decision. As an appellant, you will be regularly informed about the progress of your case.

If you have any questions or doubts about whether a case can be appealed to the Faroese Board of Appeal within social, family, and health matters, or about anything else related to this, you are welcome to contact the Board, which is happy to provide guidance and respond to inquiries.

Legal Basis
The rules governing the activities of the Faroese Board of Appeal are laid down in Parliamentary Act No. 147 of 25 November 2021 on the Faroese Board of Appeal and in Executive Order No. 161 of 14 December 2021 on the Rules of Procedure for the Faroese Board of Appeal.

The Faroese Board of Appeal
In social, family, and health issues, the Faroese Board of Appeal typically consists of the Director and two jurists. The Board may seek advice from an expert during the preparation of a case. Additionally, it is also possible for the Board to include one or more experts as part of its composition.

Expert advice in social, family, and health issues is usually provided by a professional such as a doctor, dentist, social worker, child specialist, or psychologist. A list of the experts affiliated with the Board of Appeal can be found on the website. Click here to view the experts.

Contact

Appeals to the Faroese Board of Appeal must be sent to 

Føroya Kærustovnur
Undir Hornabakka
Postboks 45
110 Tórshavn

or by email to: fks@fks.fo

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