Iceland Sets Out Steps Required for Potential EU Membership

2026-03-25 - 09:23

Icelanders could be required to vote more than once if a proposed referendum on resuming European Union accession talks is approved later this year, according to a parliamentary proposal currently under review. As reported by RÚV, the plan was introduced by the Foreign Minister and is under consideration in the Alþingi. What's the Story? Referendum on resuming EU accession talks proposed for August 29, pending approval by the Althingi by late May If approved, negotiations with the European Union could resume, based on Iceland’s 2009 application Further steps include a second referendum, constitutional amendments, and parliamentary approval before membership EU Flag flies in Iceland. Photo: Golli. Iceland Review. Membership process outlined The current plan sets out a timeline that could lead to a national vote on August 29. Under Icelandic law, any referendum must be held at least three months, and no more than one year, after parliamentary approval, meaning a decision would need to be finalised by late May for the proposed date to proceed. If voters support reopening negotiations with the European Union, Iceland’s 2009 membership application would remain valid, allowing talks to resume with the EU Council. Negotiations had previously advanced through 11 of 35 chapters before being suspended in 2013. “It is clear that some kind of reassessment would need to be carried out on the outcome of these chapters, in addition to updating and reviewing Iceland’s negotiating position in other areas due to changes that have occurred in the meantime,” the parliamentary resolution states. Any final accession agreement would require approval from the European Parliament before a second referendum in Iceland to ratify the terms. Further steps would include constitutional amendments, which must be approved by two successive parliaments following a general election. “A referendum on the continuation of negotiations is therefore only one step out of many in Iceland’s accession process,” the parliamentary resolution states.