Iceland’s Route to EU Membership May Be Unconventional, Says Political Scientist

2026-03-10 - 10:46

Iceland’s potential path towards membership of the European Union could follow an unusual route compared with other applicant countries. As reported by RÚV, international political scientist Vilborg Ása Guðjónsdóttir states there is no precedent for Iceland’s route towards membership. What's the Story? Comments by Vilborg Ása Guðjónsdóttir on Iceland’s possible path towards membership of the European Union Possible accession process differing from the usual sequence of application followed by a vote on a negotiated agreement Future membership dependent on negotiations and potential compromises between Iceland and the EU Donald Tusk. Photo: European Parliament. Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain. Membership debate continues Speaking about the country’s prospects, Vilborg said Iceland’s position in any future negotiations could be relatively strong, though formal talks would likely still be required. Iceland previously applied for EU membership in 2009 and later paused negotiations. Vilborg noted that most countries first apply for EU membership and then hold a public vote on any final agreement. In Iceland’s case, however, the sequence under discussion differs from that established pattern. She said global political developments have also altered the wider context for enlargement. Prime Minister of Iceland, Kristrún Frostadóttir. Photo: Dati Bendo. European Union, 2025. Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain. “The world is changing,” says Vilborg, adding that the main change that has occurred is Britain’s exit from the EU. “But the second is simply a response to a changing worldview, changing circumstances, economically, militarily, and now of course most recently changes in US foreign policy.” Referring to developments within the bloc, she added: “There were fears that more countries would follow suit, but what perhaps happened more was that the remaining EU countries tightened their ranks.” Vilborg said negotiations would inevitably involve compromise. “There would have to be some compromise, but we won’t know until it’s tried and it’s actually very difficult at this point to say whether it’s possible to negotiate an agreement that is acceptable to Icelanders.”