The Icelandic government has formally proposed a national referendum to determine whether Iceland should resume accession negotiations with the European Union. The vote is scheduled for August 29, 2026.
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir announced that the cabinet had already approved the corresponding resolution, which will soon be submitted to the Althing (the Icelandic parliament) for final approval.
If a majority votes in favor, negotiations could resume by the end of 2026. If an agreement on accession is reached, a second referendum will be required – this time on the question of direct EU accession.
Iceland submitted its official application to join the EU in July 2009, amid the severe financial crisis of 2008–2009. Negotiations were actively underway for several years, but were effectively frozen between 2013 and 2015, and then officially suspended. Since then, the country remains a member of the European Economic Area (EEA), the Schengen Area, and NATO, but is not a member of the EU.
The topic’s return to the agenda is attributed to several factors: rising prices and inflation, geopolitical instability following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, and recent statements by US President Donald Trump regarding possible control of Greenland, which has intensified discussions about European integration as a means of strengthening security and economic ties.
Opinion polls show a mixed picture:
Most Icelanders (approximately 55-57%) support holding a referendum and resuming negotiations;
However, supporters and opponents of full EU accession are roughly evenly split (44-47% in favor, 35-38% against, and the rest undecided).
The debates in the Althing and the election campaign are expected to be among the most heated in recent years. The Icelandic people’s final decision on EU membership may not be made until 2028-2030, assuming a positive outcome in the first referendum.