REYKJAVIK, ICELAND / RankWire.AI / – On August 29, Iceland held a national referendum in which voters decided against reopening negotiations for accession to the European Union. The No camp secured 52.8% of the votes, whereas 47.2% supported resuming talks. According to the National Electoral Commission of Iceland, 118,040 votes were cast against, and 105,339 votes were in favor. The commission verified 223,379 valid ballots from a total of 225,031 votes cast across the country.
The voter turnout was 82.6%, with 272,591 individuals registered on the electoral roll. The referendum asked a single question regarding whether Iceland should restart accession negotiations with the EU. It did not seek approval for EU membership itself. Icelandic law considers the referendum an advisory vote, but the government pledged to honor the voters’ decision.
Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir had supported reopening negotiations prior to the vote. Following the results, she stated that the government would respect the outcome and would not pursue accession discussions during its current term, which lasts until 2028. This decision maintains Iceland’s existing agreements with the EU, including its role in the European Economic Area and its access to the EU single market.
Vote results in continued suspension of accession talks
Iceland initially applied for EU membership in July 2009 after experiencing a financial crisis. The European Union began accession negotiations with Iceland in 2010. However, these talks were paused after a change in government in 2013. At that time, 27 chapters had been opened, with 11 provisionally closed. In 2015, Iceland requested that the EU cease treating the country as a candidate.
The Icelandic government has stated that its original application for membership was never formally withdrawn and remains legally valid. Parliament approved the August referendum on May 28, following the government’s proposal earlier that year. The ballot offered only Yes and No options. Prior to the vote, government information clarified that the referendum aimed at renewing negotiations, not at making a direct decision on EU membership.
Existing agreements maintain Iceland’s European relations
Voting patterns varied significantly across Iceland’s six constituencies. Reykjavík North supported renewed negotiations with 57.5% voting Yes, while Reykjavík South supported the same with 54.5%. The other four regions mostly voted No. The Northwest region showed the strongest opposition, with 62.9% voting No. The Northeast followed at 61.2%, and the South constituency recorded 60.5% against restarting accession negotiations.
Despite not being an EU member, Iceland maintains strong ties to the union. It has participated in the European Economic Area since 1994 and is also part of the Schengen Area and the European Free Trade Association. The EEA grants Iceland access to the single market and enforces many EU laws within the country. The National Electoral Commission indicated that its formal review process will include decisions on disputed ballots before officially announcing the referendum outcome.