Early voting began in Iceland on 27 July 2026 ahead of a referendum in which citizens will answer a single question: whether the country should resume negotiations on joining the European Union. The main voting day is set for 29 August.
Voters can already cast their ballots at district commissioners’ offices, some municipal offices, and at embassies and consulates abroad. Early voting is expected to account for 15–20% of the total ballots.
This is Iceland’s second attempt to decide its future relationship with the EU. Following the 2008 financial crisis, the country submitted a membership application in 2009 and opened accession negotiations in 2010. The process was effectively frozen in 2013 (and officially terminated in 2015). The reasons included an improvement in the country’s economic situation as well as disputes with Brussels over fisheries — one of the key sectors of the Icelandic economy.
The referendum is advisory and does not bind parliament or the government. If the outcome is positive, negotiations could resume by the end of 2026. Any eventual accession agreement would require a separate referendum.
Opinion polls show the two sides are roughly evenly matched. According to a June survey by Maskína, around 53% of decided respondents support resuming negotiations, while nearly 47% are opposed. Support for actual EU membership remains lower.
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir has stated that under current geopolitical conditions Iceland would enter any renewed negotiations from a stronger position than before. The opposition, by contrast, is urging Europe not to interfere in the country’s internal affairs and emphasising the importance of preserving sovereignty.
Iceland is already closely integrated with Europe through the European Economic Area (EEA), the Schengen free-travel zone and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), while remaining outside the EU itself.