Iceland's EU referendum: polling stations close as Europe awaits

Published on
30/08/2026 – 0:19 GMT+2

Polling stations closed at 10:00 pm local time on Saturday for Iceland’s high-stakes EU referendum. Vote counting is expected to begin shortly, with results due overnight.

On Saturday, Icelanders were called to vote on whether to resume accession negotiations with the European Union or abandon any prospect of joining the bloc for the foreseeable future.

According to preliminary figures, voter turnout was higher than, or at least comparable to, the 2024 parliamentary elections, when it reached 80%, according to local media.

Until a few days before the vote, polls suggested a neck-and-neck race, with the pro-European camp’s advantage steadily eroding.

“Should Iceland resume accession negotiations with the European Union?” was the question on the ballot.

Iceland applied for EU membership following the 2009 financial crisis, but froze the talks after the election of a Eurosceptic government in 2013.

Vote counting is due to start shortly, with results expected overnight.

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