Iceland and Montenegro may join EU as a package

Iceland and Montenegro could potentially join the European Union as a package if Icelanders vote to restart accession negotiations in a referendum scheduled for August 29. European officials and diplomats suggest that Brussels is open to the idea of a joint accession, similar to the simultaneous entries of Spain and Portugal in 1986 or Bulgaria and Romania in 2007.

European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos noted that Iceland is a "special case" due to its existing membership in the European Economic Area and the Schengen Area, predicting that negotiations could take only one to two years if the referendum results in a restart. A European Commission official added that Iceland could quickly catch up with Montenegro, which has closed more than half of its 33 negotiation chapters and aims for membership by 2028.

Economic factors play a role in this potential dual accession. As a wealthy nation, Iceland would likely be a net contributor to the EU budget, potentially offsetting the costs for Montenegro, which would be among the bloc's less wealthy members. In Iceland, the debate has shifted from ideology to practical economic stability, as citizens weigh the benefits of EU membership against concerns over inflation and the volatility of the Icelandic króna.