Iceland holds referendum on resuming EU accession talks
13:37, 29/08/2026, Saturday
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Nearly 400,000 Icelanders are voting in a referendum on whether to resume European Union accession negotiations, a vote that would authorize Reykjavik to restart talks suspended since 2013 but does not constitute a decision on membership itself, with preliminary results expected late Saturday.
Icelandic voters headed to polling stations across the North Atlantic island on Saturday to cast ballots in a referendum on resuming long-frozen accession negotiations with the European Union, according to state media. Polling stations opened at 9 am local time across the country, with voting scheduled to continue through the evening.
Nearly 400,000 eligible voters are deciding whether to authorize Reykjavik to restart negotiations with Brussels, though the ballot does not constitute a vote on membership itself — any eventual agreement would face a second referendum.
Surveys indicate narrow race
A Maskina survey published earlier this week placed the "Yes" camp narrowly ahead at 51.3% against 48.7% opposed, while an earlier Gallup poll showed both sides tied at 46% with 8% undecided. A separate study cited by the European Policy Centre found 54% of respondents opposed joining the bloc against 46% in favor.
Negotiations suspended since financial crisis
Iceland applied for EU membership in 2009 following the collapse of its banking system during the global financial crisis, with formal negotiations opening in 2010. A Eurosceptic government suspended the talks three years later and formally withdrew the candidacy in 2015.
The European Commission maintains that Iceland's application remains legally valid and negotiations are merely on hold, according to an EPC report.
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