Who Owns Iceland’s Land?
A new government review will examine foreign land ownership, bringing questions about water, energy and food production closer to a legislative decision.
Iceland’s Minister of Industries, Hanna Katrín Friðriksson, has appointed an expert group to map foreign ownership of land and assess whether tighter restrictions are needed, her ministry announced on November 4.
The group is expected to start work this month and submit its report before March 1, 2027. The minister will present its findings to Alþingi, the national parliament, as preparation for changes to land legislation.
The appointment implements a parliamentary resolution adopted on June 19. Its remit includes identifying future challenges associated with foreign ownership and considering both legal restrictions and other measures.
