22 June 2026Ministry for Foreign AffairsWhat was the status of the EU accession negotiations when they were put on hold in 2013?When Iceland's accession negotiations were put on hold, 27 of the 33 substantive chapters had been opened. In total, negotiations on 11 chapters had been concluded.
What was the status of the EU accession negotiations when they were put on hold in 2013?
Accession negotiations with the EU are divided into 35 policy fields (chapters) covering various policy areas, of which 33 are considered to substantive subject chapters, as three are largely technical.
When Iceland's accession negotiations were put on hold, 27 of the 33 substantive chapters had been opened. In addition, Iceland had submitted negotiating positions in two further chapters. In total, negotiations on 11 chapters had been concluded.
Freedom of movement for workers (Chapter 2),
Intellectual property law (Chapter 7),
Competition policy (Chapter 8),
Enterprise and Industrial policy (Chapter 20),
Trans-European networks (Chapter 21),
Science and Research (Chapter 25),
Education and culture (Chapter 26),
Consumer and health protection (Chapter 28),
Justice and fundamental rights (Chapter 23),
Foreign, security and defence policy (Chapter 31).
Free movement of goods (Chapter 1),
Public procurement (Chapter 5),
Financial services (Chapter 9),
Information society and media (Chapter 10),
Economic and monetary policy (Chapter 17),
Social and employment policy (Chapter 19),
Regional policy and coordination of structural instruments (Chapter 22),
Environment and Climate Change (Chapter 27).
Food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy (Chapter 12),
Justice and home affairs (Chapter 24).
Right of establishment and freedom to provide services (Chapter 3),
Free movement of capital (Chapter 4),
Agriculture and rural development (Chapter 11),
A complete overview of all chapters can be found onthe 2009 - 2013 EU accession website.