On March 6, 2026, Iceland's Foreign Minister Þórgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir confirmed plans for a nationwide referendum to consider the continuation of negotiations regarding EU membership. The referendum question will be, "Should negotiations on Iceland's membership in the European Union continue?" Citizens will have the option to answer either 'Yes' or 'No.'

This decision comes after Iceland applied for EU membership in 2009, shortly after experiencing a severe financial crisis. Accession talks began in 2010 but were suspended in 2013 following parliamentary elections that resulted in a shift in the political landscape. The government at that time decided to halt discussions, officially terminating them in 2015.

Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir stated that the current economic and national sentiment supports revisiting the issue, emphasizing that “the time is now right to pose this question to the Icelandic people.” She mentioned that Iceland's strategic and economic conditions have changed since the last negotiations, indicating a new readiness for discussions.

The coalition government has expressed a commitment to preserving Iceland's sovereignty, particularly concerning vital issues like fisheries, which remain a contentious topic. The Prime Minister reassured that any negotiations would prioritize Icelandic control over its resources, particularly in fisheries policy.

An opinion poll last February suggested that Icelanders are divided on the topic, highlighting a mixed sentiment about potential EU membership. Some citizens are wary of surrendering control to a supranational body, while others see benefits in enhanced economic and social stability linked with EU membership.

As the referendum approaches, the Icelandic government aims not only to gauge public opinion but to address concerns around the economic and security benefits of potentially joining the EU in a changing global landscape, marked by geopolitical shifts and economic uncertainties.