What is the referendum about?

What is the referendum about?

The referendum concerns whether the Icelandic government should resume accession negotiations with the European Union. If voters answer yes, accession negotiations will commence. If and when a deal is reached, the agreement will be put to a second referendum for the Icelandic people to accept or reject.

What will the referendum question be?

By the Parliamentary Resolution No. 14/157, adopted by the Althing on 28 May 2026, it was decided that the referendum question on 29 August 2026 shall read:

"Should Iceland resume accession negotiations with the European Union?"

The options will be:

"Yes."

"No."

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.

The Icelandic people will always have the final say on any potential EU membership, which would also be put to a referendum following the conclusion of accession negotiations.

The government considers the resumption of accession negotiations with the EU to be of such major national importance that seeking the guidance of the people is the only appropriate course of action. The people were not directly involved in the decision to initiate the accession process back in 2009, so this is now an opportunity to rectify that. It is clear that voters cannot take a position on membership of the EU unless accession negotiations are resumed and concluded with an accession agreement, which would then be put to a separate referendum for approval or rejection.