News

Absentee Voting abroad: Referendum on the resumption of EU accession negotiations 29 August 2026

We remind those voters that would like to cast a vote, but will be abroad on the day of the referendum, to vote in Iceland before leaving the country, if possible, or to contact embassies or honorary consuls in the country the voter is based in to ascertain where and when to vote.

Unity and Solidarity Demonstrated at the 2026 NATO Summit in Ankara

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir and Foreign Minister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir attended the NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye, where Allies demonstrated unity and solidarity in the face of an increasingly uncertain security environment.

Cooperation on Security and Defence in the North Atlantic and the Arctic

Security in the North Atlantic and the Arctic, along with cooperation between Iceland and the United Kingdom within NATO were among the topics Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir and United Kingdom Secretary of Defence, Dan Jarvis, discussed during their meeting yesterday.

Iceland participated in the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Gdańsk

The Ukraine Recovery Conference, co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine, took place in Gdańsk last week. Iceland’s delegation was led by Martin Eyjólfsson, Permanent Secretary of State at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and consisted of representatives from the Embassy of Iceland in Warsaw and the Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme (GRÓ GEST).

Iceland takes over the Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States

Iceland has today taken over from Poland the Presidency of Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) from Poland.

Priorities of the Icelandic Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) 2026 - 2027

Iceland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) from Poland today, 1 July 2026, at a time of profound geopolitical challenges in the Baltic Sea Region.

What is meant by "resuming accession negotiations"?

Although Iceland's accession negotiations were put on hold in 2013, the membership application submitted in 2009 was never formally withdrawn.

What is the referendum about?

The referendum concerns whether the Icelandic government should resume accession negotiations with the European Union.

Do accession negotiations not require adaptation to EU law before the second referendum?

During the 2009-2013 accession process, an understanding was reached early on that Iceland would not undertake institutional changes or legislative amendments arising from membership until it had been confirmed that Iceland would become a member state.

Iceland's membership negotiations between 2009-2013

Accession negotiations took place during 2009–2013 but were put on hold following a change of government in Iceland in 2013. Iceland's EU membership application is legally valid.

My Voice, My Choice receives the Vigdis Prize for Women's Empowerment

The Slovenian grassroots movement My Voice, My Choice today received the Vigdís Prize for Women's Empowerment at a ceremonial event in Strasbourg. The award carries a cash prize of €60,000 and includes the artwork Kvika by Brynhildur Þorgeirsdóttir, crafted from Icelandic lava and glass.

What was the status of the EU accession negotiations when they were put on hold in 2013?

When Iceland's accession negotiations were put on hold, 27 of the 33 substantive chapters had been opened. In total, negotiations on 11 chapters had been concluded.

What EEA participation costs would be replaced upon membership?

EEA participation costs would be eliminated upon EU membership.

What would EU membership mean for energy and Icelandic sovereignty over natural resources?

Iceland has already adopted the majority of EU energy legislation through the EEA partnership (European Economic Area), and the effects beyond that would likely be limited.

What will the referendum question be?

The referendum question shall read: "Should Iceland resume accession negotiations with the European Union?"

What is IPA Assistance?

The EU provides financial support to membership applicants through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). After negotiations were put on hold in 2013, no IPA support has been provided to Iceland.

If Iceland joins the European Union, when could it adopt the euro?

Countries wishing to adopt the euro must fulfil the Maastricht criteria, relating to price stability, interest rate levels, exchange rate stability, public sector balance, and public debt.

How long could the accession negotiations take and how much would they cost?

The government's assessment is that negotiations could be concluded within 18 to 24 months with mutual willingness on the part of both parties.

How much would EU membership cost?

To estimate the cost of EU membership it is necessary to take into account: Iceland's direct financial contributions; what Iceland would receive from EU funds; and other costs that could be incurred in parallel with EU membership, such as EEA cooperation.

What is actually being negotiated in accession negotiations?

Accession negotiations may need to account for special circumstances and key national interests of new Member States. This would also apply in Iceland's case.

What would EU membership mean for Icelandic agriculture?

The effects would depend on the outcome of the accession negotiations. The objective would be to continue to ensure a strong Icelandic agricultural sector grounded in food security, food safety, and regional considerations.

What were Iceland's main negotiating objectives concerning rural development in the EU accession negotiations in 2009 - 2013?

Regional development is covered under Chapter 22. Negotiations began with the opening of the chapter on 18 December 2012. They had not been concluded when negotiations were put on hold.

What were Iceland's main negotiating objectives in the field of labour and social affairs in the EU accession negotiations in 2009 - 2013?

Chapter 2 (free movement of workers) was provisionally closed in October 2011. Negotiations on Chapter 19 (social and employment policy) had started but were not completed when negotiations were put on hold. Chapter 3 (right of establishment and freedom to provide services) had not been opened due to its close connection with the fisheries chapter.

What would EU membership mean for security and defence?

With EU membership, Iceland would become a party to the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the European Defence Fund (EDF), and the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP).

What would EU membership mean for the Icelandic language?

Upon membership, Icelandic would become one of the official languages of the EU. EU legislation and key documents would be translated into Icelandic and interpretation into Icelandic would be offered at numerous EU meetings.

What were Iceland's main negotiating objectives concerning taxation in the EU accession negotiations in 2009 - 2013?

Taxation is covered under Chapter 16. The chapter was opened on 18 December 2012. Negotiations were ongoing when they were put on hold.

What were Iceland's main negotiating objectives concerning currency matters in the EU accession negotiations in 2009 - 2013?

Currency affairs are covered under Chapter 17. The chapter was opened on 18 December 2012. Negotiations were ongoing when they were put on hold.

What were Iceland's main negotiating objectives in the field of the environment in the EU accession negotiations in 2009 - 2013?

Environmental matters are covered under Chapter 27. The chapter was opened on 18 December 2012 and negotiations were still ongoing when they were put on hold.

What were Iceland's main negotiating objectives in the field of energy in the EU accession negotiations in 2009 - 2013??

Energy is covered under Chapter 15. The chapter was opened on 12 December 2011. Negotiations were ongoing when the accession negotiations were put on hold. Iceland was expected to submit more information and action plans in order to close the chapter.

What were Iceland's main negotiating objectives in the field of agriculture in the EU accession negotiations in 2009-2013?

Agriculture is covered under Chapter 11 of the accession negotiations. The chapter had not been opened when negotiations were put on hold in 2013. Substantial work on a negotiating position had been done when negotiations were put on hold.

What were Iceland's main negotiating objectives in the field of fisheries in the EU accession negotations in 2009-2013?

Fisheries are covered under Chapter 13 of the accession negotiations. That chapter had not been opened when negotiations were put on hold in 2013 and Iceland had not submitted a negotiating position.

What would EU membership mean for tariffs and market access?

Upon membership, Iceland would become part of the EU customs union and all tariffs on imports from EU member states would be lifted.

How would Iceland's negotiating objectives be formulated should voters decide to resume accession negotiations with the EU?

Extensive work took place on the formulation of Iceland's negotiating objectives in preparation for and in connection with the accession negotiations 2009-2013.

How much will the referendum cost?

The National Electoral Commission (Landskjörstjórn) estimates the cost of conducting the referendum at approximately ISK 500 - 600 million.

What if the result is "No" in August?

That would be the decision of the people and the government will respect the outcome of the referendum.

Is this a vote on EU membership?

No. The upcoming referendum is solely about whether Iceland should resume accession negotiations with the EU, which the then-government placed on hold in 2013.

Joint statement on humanitarian access in Gaza and the registration law affecting INGOS

Green Group World Ocean Day Communiqué

On World Ocean Day, we recognize and celebrate the ocean—Earth’s most vital life-support system and an irreplaceable resource that deserves immediate and sustained protection.

Icelandic Authorities Track Russian Warship

The Yuri Ivanov has been operating within Iceland´s Exclusive Economic Zone, west of Iceland.

Joint statement on situation between Hezbollah and Israel

Joint statement published on June 5, 2026, on situation between Hezbollah and Israel.

NATO Military Committee visits Iceland

The visit of the Military Committee provided a valuable opportunity to demonstrate how Iceland actively supports NATO´s collective defence and strengthens Alliance cohesion.

Sopot Declaration - 29 May 2026

Consular Services Policy 2026 - 2030

The Consular Services Policy 2026 - 2030 is now accessible in English. The Icelandic report was published in December 2025.

Defence spending, support for Ukraine top agenda of NATO ministerial meeting

The Foreign Ministers of the Arctic Allies also met separately, at meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden.

Joint Statement on Arctic Security from the Arctic Allies – Canada, Kingdom of Denmark including Greenland and the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the United States of America

Joint Statement on Arctic Security from the Arctic Allies – Canada, Kingdom of Denmark including Greenland and the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the United States of America.

Statement of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Nordic-Baltic countries on Russia’s latest disinformation campaign

Statement issued after the informal NATO Foreign Affairs ministerial meeting in Helsingborg, Sweden, on 22 May 2026.

Joint Press Statement - Iceland - UK Bilateral Defence Consultations

Joint Statement - Nordic Defence Cooperation

On May 5-6 the Nordic Ministers of Defence gathered in Trøndelag under Norway's chairship of NORDEFCO in 2026.

Three projects advance to the final stage of the Vigdís Prize for Women's Empowerment 2026

The selection committee for the Vigdís Prize for Women's Empowerment has announced which three projects have advanced to the final selection of the award.

Minister for Foreign Affairs presents Annual Report on International Affairs

Parliamentarians debated the Minister´s report after her introductory remarks, exchanging points of view regarding the current political outlook.