Iceland

Europe News

Relief and sorrow in Iceland as EU membership talks referendum fails

The result of the referendum has also been hailed by right-wing figures from across the UK and France.

30/08/2026

No Comment

Icelanders react as the EU referendum results come in

Icelanders react as voters reject a proposal to restart European Union accession talks in a closely contested referendum.

30/08/2026

Europe News

Iceland: Neck and neck referendum rejects EU membership talks

Iceland's relationship with Brussels will not fundamentally change. The country already participates in the European Economic Area and the passport-free Schengen zone, and both arrangements stay intact.

30/08/2026

Europe News

Iceland's EU referendum sees high preliminary voter turnout

In Reykjavík, voter turnout was higher by noon than at the same time during the 2024 parliamentary election, local media reported.

29/08/2026

Europe News

Iceland orders expulsion of 21 anti-whaling activists, police say

Iceland is one of the only countries that still allows commercial whaling. Norway and Japan are the others.

05/08/2026

Euronews investigates

Why has Iceland distanced itself from the European Union?

So near and yet so far. On August 29, Iceland voted in a referendum to abandon membership talks with the EU. A few weeks before, we travelled to the volcanic island to investigate the fears and doubts that drove it away from its European neighbours.

31/07/2026

Residences

A new literary‑inspired hotel has opened in northern Iceland

Located in the heart of Akureyri, Iceland’s ‘Capital of the North’, the new Skáld Akureyri, Curio Collection hotel features rooms and apartments inspired by Icelandic storytelling and Nordic design.

09/07/2026

No Comment

First whales killed as Iceland restarts commercial hunt

Iceland resumes commercial whaling after a two-year pause, with two fin whales processed at the Hvalur facility, reigniting controversy and protests.

24/06/2026

Europe News

Iceland kills first whales since 2023, resuming whaling

Iceland's Marine and Freshwater Research Institute has recommended that no more than 150 fin whales are caught in the 2026 season.

23/06/2026

Travel News

Bad photographer? This airline might just pay you to go to Iceland

Icelandair is offering up a 10-day trip to prove that even the worst photographers can take incredible snaps of the country.

03/04/2026

Earth News

Will climate change really turn Iceland into ‘one giant glacier’?

Scientists have expressed growing concern over a major Atlantic current that could collapse and send northern Europe into the next Ice Age.

18/02/2026

Culture news

Iceland to boycott 2026 Eurovision over Israel's participation

The announcement from RÚV comes a week after four other countries announced they were pulling out of next year's Eurovision in protest against Israel’s participation.

10/12/2025

Destinations

How Iceland found its balance between tourism and tranquillity

Iceland has transformed from a seasonal hotspot into a year-round destination, encouraging visitors to explore beyond the usual routes while supporting local communities.

06/11/2025

Tech News

Anthropic to bring its AI to teachers in Iceland

Icelandic teachers will soon be able to use AI to prepare lessons, classroom materials and administrative work.

05/11/2025

Smart Regions

Climate change is making oat cultivation viable in Northern Europe

In partnership with the European Commission

Climate change is making oat cultivation viable in the Northern Periphery and Arctic. Researchers from Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway and Sweden are testing 400 oat varieties to see which ones are best suited to the current Arctic climate and to promote their production in Northern Europe.

27/10/2025

Earth News

Iceland has just found its first mosquito. Is climate change to blame?

After the species was identified near Iceland’s capital, Antarctica remains the world’s only mosquito-free haven.

22/10/2025

Travel News

Iceland sets new visitor record: Is a higher tourist tax pending?

Iceland has witnessed 1.8 million international tourists in the first nine months of 2025 despite reports that its appeal has ‘slumped’.

15/10/2025

Moments

Play cancels flights: What are your rights if your airline goes bust?

Here’s what travellers need to know about their rights to refunds and compensation if a flight company goes bankrupt.

01/10/2025

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British swimmer Ross Edgley is first to swim around Iceland

British swimmer Ross Edgley on Tuesday became the first person to swim around the entire island of Iceland, completing a four-month challenge in freezing seas.

10/09/2025

Destinations

Skip Iceland’s Golden Triangle for this wild and rugged region instead

As some of Iceland’s most famous destinations deal with increasing visitor numbers, travellers are seeking quieter, off-the-beaten-track experiences.

24/08/2025

No Comment

Tourists watch cooling lava as Iceland’s volcanic activity slows

Tourists have returned to Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula to witness the latest volcanic eruption, which began on 16 July near the town of Grindavik.

22/07/2025

Europe News

Iceland to launch talks on security, defence partnership with EU

The agreement with the EU is independent of Iceland's NATO membership and existing defence pacts with the United States, public broadcaster RÚV said.

17/07/2025

No Comment

Iceland volcano erupts, forcing evacuations near Blue Lagoon

A volcanic eruption early Wednesday near Sundhnúksgígar forced the evacuation of Grindavík and disrupted tourism at Iceland’s popular Blue Lagoon geothermal spa.

16/07/2025

Travel News

Iceland volcano: Tourists evacuated after ninth eruption since 2023

Guests at the nearby luxury Blue Lagoon geothermal spa resort were evacuated as a precaution.

16/07/2025

Tech News

The Slovenian innovator transforming microchip manufacturing

In partnership with European Patent Office

Slovenian researcher Teja Potočnik has developed a platform to integrate nanomaterials into microchip manufacturing, cutting energy use and tackling the rising environmental footprint of data centres.

16/06/2025

Tech News

Marie Perrin pioneers rare earth recycling

In partnership with European Patent Office

French-American chemist Marie Perrin has created a cleaner way to recycle rare earths, cutting toxic waste and supporting a circular economy for essential green technologies.

16/06/2025