The Prime Minister of Iceland, Kristrún Frostadóttir, has announced plans to hold a new referendum on the country’s potential membership in the European Union in the coming months.
Although no official date has yet been set, the referendum has been considered a realistic possibility since the December 2024 parliamentary elections, which were won by the Social Democrats led by Frostadóttir. Her government, formed together with two centrist parties, had included the referendum as part of its governing platform.
The renewed debate over EU membership comes after Iceland’s earlier attempt to join the bloc. The country first applied for membership in the European Union in 2009, shortly after the global financial crisis, under a center-left government at the time. However, the application process was withdrawn in 2015 by a conservative administration, which led to Iceland losing its candidate status.
Recent opinion polls indicate growing public support for restarting accession negotiations. According to available data, 44 percent of respondents support reopening talks with the EU, while 36 percent oppose the move, and the remaining share remains undecided.
Despite not being an EU member, Iceland already maintains close ties with European institutions. The country is part of the Schengen Area and a member of the European Free Trade Association, allowing for free movement and strong economic integration with European markets.
The upcoming referendum could therefore play a decisive role in shaping Iceland’s long-term political and economic alignment with Europe, as discussions about sovereignty, trade, and regional cooperation continue to intensify.
