1. Sovereignty and control over key resources (especially fisheries)
Many commenters worry that EU membership would force Iceland to surrender control of its fishing waters and quota system.
- “The No campaign fears losing control over Iceland's prized fishing grounds under the EU's Common Fisheries Policy and has vowed never to share the country's waters with anyone.” – ekidd
- “If you join the EU you will lose control of your fisheries and have worse management policies pushed on you.” – gizajob
- “joining the EU means giving that up … is the really crucial issue they should be thinking long and hard about (including, indeed, with respect to fisheries).” – mytailorisrich
2. Economic motivations – currency stability and market access
Stability of the euro versus the volatile króna, plus access to EU programs and markets, is frequently cited as a reason to join.
- “The Icelandic króna is a very small currency that fluctuates considerably. Switching to the euro would protect them from exchange rate risks with their main trading partner.” – Beretta_Vexee
- “Euro would be a bliss for unstable Islandian currency.” – snowpid
- “Adopting the euro is one of the main arguments in favor of joining the EU.” – amunozo
- “The Euro is actually one of the reasons they want to join; even their prime minister stated it explicitly.” – jonkoops
3. Existing deep integration without full membership
Several users note that Iceland (like Norway and Switzerland) already enjoys many EU benefits via Schengen, EEA, EFTA, etc.
- “Iceland is already a member of Schengen.” – adamtulinius
- “Iceland already heavily integrated into the EU, the only outliers are currency, foreign policy, security, political institutions, customs and some trading sectors like fishing.” – ChocolateGod
- “Norway and Switzerland are in the EU in all but final signatures at this point: they are fully integrated into EU economy, apply EU's laws and regulations and even pay into EU funds.” – troupo
- “Iceland is already part of Schengen, EFTA, and NATO. They're in the best position there is, having negotiated the best the EU has to offer but not the bad parts…” – m132
4. Democratic process and the two‑stage referendum
The unusual step of voting merely to start accession talks sparks debate about legitimacy, timing, and public influence.
- “It seems odd to hold a referendum on holding talks. Why not just negotiate an agreement and then hold a referendum on that agreement?” – mixdup
- “Parliament does not really have a majority vote for continuing talks. But one of the government parties made it one of their election issues so they want to find out if there is a majority support among voters.” – saevarom
- “Btw this referendum is about starting the talks, not about joining or not joining. If the result is ‘yes’ then a proposal with all terms and conditions for joining will be written down, and the Icelanders will vote again on whether to accept those terms and conditions or not.” – znpy
- “Because you’re in a different position to negotiate if you know you have the support of the population?” – dgellow
5. Critiques of the EU as bureaucratic, ineffective, or in need of reform
A recurring thread portrays the EU as over‑regulated, overly politicized, and losing global relevance.
- “There are two main problems with the EU, both political. First, the EU Commission has way too much power… Second, regulatory hell. The continual avalanche of regulations out of Brussels cannot be overstated.” – bradley13
- “The EU was a nice dream about 20‑30 years ago, but now ot has mutated into the worst thing it could happen to any country. The single market is a joke, regulations on top of regulations and so on.” – ExoticPearTree
- “The EU has benefits obviously but it's been failing Europe in critical ways for about 20 yeas now…” – bluegatty
- “The EU commission is just a way for national governments to launder their authoritarian desires through the EU.” – surgical_fire