Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat is meant by "resuming accession negotiations"?22 June 2026Although Iceland's accession negotiations were put on hold in 2013, the membership application submitted in 2009 was never formally withdrawn.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat is the referendum about?22 June 2026The referendum concerns whether the Icelandic government should resume accession negotiations with the European Union.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsDo accession negotiations not require adaptation to EU law before the second referendum?22 June 2026During 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…
Ministry for Foreign AffairsIceland's membership negotiations between 2009-201322 June 2026Accession 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.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat was the status of the EU accession negotiations when they were put on hold in 2013?22 June 2026When 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.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat EEA participation costs would be replaced upon membership?22 June 2026EEA participation costs would be eliminated upon EU membership.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat would EU membership mean for energy and Icelandic sovereignty over natural resources?22 June 2026Iceland 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.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat will the referendum question be?22 June 2026The referendum question shall read: "Should Iceland resume accession negotiations with the European Union?"
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat is IPA Assistance?22 June 2026The 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…
Ministry for Foreign AffairsIf Iceland joins the European Union, when could it adopt the euro?22 June 2026Countries 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.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsHow long could the accession negotiations take and how much would they cost?22 June 2026The government's assessment is that negotiations could be concluded within 18 to 24 months with mutual willingness on the part of both parties.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsHow much would EU membership cost?22 June 2026To 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…
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat is actually being negotiated in accession negotiations?22 June 2026Accession negotiations may need to account for special circumstances and key national interests of new Member States. This would also apply in Iceland's case.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat would EU membership mean for Icelandic agriculture?22 June 2026The 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…
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat were Iceland's main negotiating objectives concerning rural development in the EU accession negotiations in 2009 - 2013?21 June 2026Regional 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.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat were Iceland's main negotiating objectives in the field of labour and social affairs in the EU accession negotiations in 2009 - 2013?21 June 2026Chapter 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…
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat would EU membership mean for security and defence?21 June 2026With 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…
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat would EU membership mean for the Icelandic language?21 June 2026Upon 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…
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat were Iceland's main negotiating objectives concerning taxation in the EU accession negotiations in 2009 - 2013?21 June 2026 Taxation is covered under Chapter 16. The chapter was opened on 18 December 2012. Negotiations were ongoing when they were put on hold.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat were Iceland's main negotiating objectives concerning currency matters in the EU accession negotiations in 2009 - 2013?21 June 2026Currency affairs are covered under Chapter 17. The chapter was opened on 18 December 2012. Negotiations were ongoing when they were put on hold.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat were Iceland's main negotiating objectives in the field of the environment in the EU accession negotiations in 2009 - 2013?21 June 2026Environmental 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.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat were Iceland's main negotiating objectives in the field of energy in the EU accession negotiations in 2009 - 2013??21 June 2026Energy is covered under Chapter 15. The chapter was opened on 12 December 2011. Negotiations were ongoing when the accession negotiations were put on hold.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat were Iceland's main negotiating objectives in the field of agriculture in the EU accession negotiations in 2009-2013?21 June 2026Agriculture is covered under Chapter 11 of the accession negotiations. The chapter had not been opened when negotiations were put on hold in 2013.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat were Iceland's main negotiating objectives in the field of fisheries in the EU accession negotations in 2009-2013?21 June 2026Fisheries 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.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat would EU membership mean for tariffs and market access?21 June 2026Upon membership, Iceland would become part of the EU customs union and all tariffs on imports from EU member states would be lifted.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsHow would Iceland's negotiating objectives be formulated should voters decide to resume accession negotiations with the EU?20 June 2026Extensive work took place on the formulation of Iceland's negotiating objectives in preparation for and in connection with the accession negotiations 2009-2013.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsHow much will the referendum cost?20 June 2026The National Electoral Commission (Landskjörstjórn) estimates the cost of conducting the referendum at approximately ISK 500 - 600 million.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat if the result is "No" in August?20 June 2026That would be the decision of the people and the government will respect the outcome of the referendum.
Ministry for Foreign AffairsIs this a vote on EU membership?20 June 2026No. The upcoming referendum is solely about whether Iceland should resume accession negotiations with the EU, which the then-government placed on hold in 2013.