Overview
- Iceland held a consultative referendum on Saturday, August 29 asking whether to resume formal accession talks with the European Union rather than to join immediately.
- A recent Gallup poll of 4,583 people showed a near-even split with 51.6 percent in favor and 48.4 percent opposed, leaving the outcome uncertain.
- If voters approve restarting negotiations, Icelandic officials say talks could begin in late 2026 and are likely to run about one and a half to two years before any final decisions.
- Supporters say EU ties could help stabilize the currency, curb inflation, and integrate Iceland into European security arrangements while opponents warn the EU common fisheries policy would shift control over the country’s fishing zones to Brussels.
- Iceland first applied to join in 2009 and paused negotiations in 2013, and government leaders have cited changing regional security concerns such as the Russia–Ukraine war and Arctic issues as reasons to reconsider talks.