Iceland will hold a referendum on 29 August 2026 on whether to relaunch negotiations to join the European Union, the government has announced.
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir confirmed the vote at a press conference in Reykjavik, saying it would address “a debate that has hung over the Icelandic nation” for years.
Iceland first applied for EU membership in 2009 during the global financial crisis. Negotiations were suspended in 2013 amid disagreements over fisheries policy, and the application was formally withdrawn in 2015. Iceland remains part of the European Economic Area (EEA) and the Schengen Area.
Recent polling suggests broad support for holding a referendum, though the public remains divided on full EU membership.
EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos said the decision comes at a time of global uncertainty, describing the EU as a community offering “values, prosperity and security.”
If voters support reopening talks, Iceland would hold a second referendum after accession negotiations before joining the EU.
ℹ️ POLITICO
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