Iceland

Membership status

In March 2015 Iceland's government requested that "Iceland should not be regarded as a candidate country for EU membership". The Council took note and undertook further practical adjustments of its working procedures.

Background

Iceland applied for EU membership in July 2009. The Commission issued a favourable opinion in February 2010, and the Council decided in June 2010 that accession negotiations would be opened. After a new government took over in May 2013, Iceland put the accession negotiations on hold. At the time of this decision, 27 of the negotiating chapters had been opened, of which 11 provisionally closed. In March 2015 Iceland's government requested that "Iceland should not be regarded as a candidate country for EU membership".

Iceland is highly integrated with the EU through membership in the European Economic Area (EEA), the Schengen Area and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). It is also a signatory of the Dublin regulation on asylum policy Search for available translations of the preceding link••• and a partner in the EU's Northern Dimension policy to promote cooperation in Northern Europe.

Through the EEA, Iceland participates in the single market and contributes financially towards social and economic cohesion in Europe. A significant proportion of the EU's laws are applied in Iceland today. Iceland also participates, albeit with no voting rights, in a number of EU agencies and programmes, covering areas including enterprise, environment, education and research.

Iceland has a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the EEC since 1972. Two thirds of Iceland's foreign trade is with EU Member States.

Negotiation chapters

Open	Provisionally closed
Transport policy Social policy and employment Financial control Public Procurement Information Society and Media Financial and Budgetary Provision Competition policy Energy Financial services Statistics Customs Union Free Movement of Goods Taxation Economic and Monetary Policy Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments Environment, External Relations	Science and Research Education and Culture Freedom of Movement for Workers Intellectual Property Law Company Law Enterprise and Industrial Policy Trans-European Networks Judiciary and Fundamental Rights consumer and health protection Foreign, security and defence policy Competition Policy

More information on the country's relations with the EU...

Timeline

12-03-2015
In March 2015 Iceland's government requested that "Iceland should not be regarded as a candidate country for EU membership".
01-06-2013
Iceland puts accession negotiations on hold.
18-12-2012
Accession conference - six chapters formally opened, one provisionally closed.
24-10-2012
Accession conference (deputy level) - three chapters formerly opened.
22-06-2012
Intergovernmental conference; three chapters opened.
30-03-2012
Intergovernmental Conference; four chapters formally opened of which two provisionally closed.
12-12-2011
Intergovernmental Conference: 5 chapters opened, 4 provisionally closed.
19-10-2011
Intergovernmental Conference; 2 chapters opened and provisionally closed.
27-06-2011
Intergovernmental Conference; 4 chapters opened, 2 provisionally closed
20-06-2011
'Screening' concluded; accession negotiations continue
15-11-2010
'Screening' stage of accession negotiations begins.
27-07-2010
1st intergovernmental conference on Iceland's EU accession.
17-06-2010
Council decides to open negotiations with Iceland.
24-02-2010
Opinion by Commission on Iceland's application for EU membership.
11-01-2010
EU delegation opens in Reykjavik.
02-11-2009
Icelandic ambassador to EU appointed Chief Negotiator for accession talks.
01-10-2009
Iceland replies to Commission questionnaire.
27-07-2009
Council requests Commission opinion on application.
16-07-2009
Iceland applies to join EU.
01-01-1994
Iceland joins European Economic Area (EEA).
01-01-1973
Free trade agreement with the European Community.
01-01-1970
Iceland joins European Free Trade Association (EFTA).