Ministry for Foreign Affairs
What is meant by "resuming accession negotiations"?
22 June 2026
Although Iceland's accession negotiations were put on hold in 2013, the membership application submitted in 2009 was never formally withdrawn.
Accession negotiations with the EU are divided into 35 policy fields (chapters) covering various policy areas, of which 33 are considered to substantive subject chapters, as three are largely technical.
When Iceland's accession negotiations with the EU were put on hold in 2013, 27 of the 33 substantive chapters had been opened. In addition, Iceland had submitted negotiating positions in two further chapters. In total, negotiations on 11 chapters had been concluded.
Negotiating objectives in the 2009 - 2013 EU accession negotiations
Various documents related to Iceland's accession negotiations with the European Union. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will add further material as appropriate in the lead-up to the referendum.