Iceland and the EU: 350,000 people weigh immigration fears

Iceland weighs EU membership: the dilemma of an almost mosquito-free island

With barely 350,000 inhabitants, Iceland is a demographic and economic anomaly. But its possible accession to the European Union reopens debates over immigration, sovereignty and that recurring myth of being "the only country in Europe without mosquitoes" — a claim that, like everything on this island, is more nuanced than it seems.

A tiny population and an immigration debate that divides
Iceland's population, according to figures cited in the debate, stands at around 350,000 — slightly more than the city of Alicante, as one analysis pointed out — although many Icelanders live abroad, mainly in Denmark under bilateral agreements. Such a small demographic base means any migratory flow has a disproportionate impact. Those opposed to joining the EU argue the country would lose control of its borders and be "flooded with immigrants", an expression that, behind the hyperbole, hides unease about rapid demographic change. Others point out that refugees are already present — such as the Afghans one resident claimed to have seen in Reykjavik — debunking the idea of a sealed-off paradise.

The mosquito myth and the climate reality
Iceland prides itself on being the only European country without mosquitoes, but one participant countered that they do exist, "fat and capable of laying eggs in the ice". The controversy shows how hard it is to generalise about a country with extreme microclimates. What nobody disputes is the hostile climate: hurricane-force winds, constant rain and a cold that chills you to the bone. Add to that an extremely high cost of living — food, according to visitors, is "ridiculously expensive" — which contrasts with a level of prosperity that seems to come from nowhere.

The economic and political dilemma
Behind the candidacy lies a calculation of convenience: access to the single market and EU funds versus the loss of sovereignty over resources such as fishing. Iceland already went through an accession process in 2009 that was suspended in 2013. Now, the geopolitical context — pressure from Trump, tensions with China — could reopen the debate. But the population, always sovereignty-minded, remains unsure.

Is Iceland ready to open its doors to the EU and its 450 million inhabitants? The answer, like Reykjavik's weather, remains uncertain.