Do Norwegians want to join the EU? Latest poll results revealed
Nearly half of Norwegians want a referendum on starting negotiations with the European Union. At the same time, opponents of membership have recorded their highest support since November 2023. This is shown by the latest poll commissioned for the newspapers „Nationen” and „Klassekampen”.
In the past, the strongest supporters of Norway joining the EU were representatives of the Greens and the Liberals.
Fot. Adobe Stock, licencja standardowa
The survey was conducted by Sentio Research. Respondents were asked both about Norway's potential membership in the EU and the possibility of starting negotiations with the Union. The poll included 1,000 people aged over 18. The survey was conducted from 17 to 24 September 2026, after the referendum in Iceland on resuming EU negotiations.
Opponents' lead is growing. Highest result since 2023
If a referendum on Norway's EU membership were held today, 48.5% of respondents would vote against it. 29.7% of respondents would support membership. Another 21.8% currently have no opinion. In the August survey, conducted before the Icelandic referendum, 47.7% of respondents were against, while 31.5% were in favour.
The share of “no” responses has not been this high since November 2023. Compared with August, the number of opponents of membership has increased, while the share of supporters of joining the EU has fallen. However, the newspapers publishing the results did not provide the survey's margin of error.
The share of “no” responses has not been this high since November 2023. Compared with August, the number of opponents of membership has increased, while the share of supporters of joining the EU has fallen. However, the newspapers publishing the results did not provide the survey's margin of error.
Norwegians rejected accession to the EU twice in nationwide referendums: in 1972 and 1994.Photo: Canva
Referendum on negotiations alone. Nearly half are in favour
A separate question concerned starting negotiations with the EU. This solution is supported by 48% of respondents. 27% are against, while 25% remain undecided. The survey described this option as the “Icelandic solution” because the vote would concern starting talks, rather than membership itself.
This question appeared in the poll for the first time. Therefore, there are no earlier results against which the current data could be compared. However, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide of the Labour Party (Ap) said that the results do not change the authorities' position. In a message sent to “Nationen,” he wrote that the government has no plans to begin EU membership negotiations.
This question appeared in the poll for the first time. Therefore, there are no earlier results against which the current data could be compared. However, Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide of the Labour Party (Ap) said that the results do not change the authorities' position. In a message sent to “Nationen,” he wrote that the government has no plans to begin EU membership negotiations.
The Norwegian poll was conducted after the vote in Iceland, where voters opposed resuming negotiations with the European Union. The issue of possible talks with the EU was therefore examined in Norway shortly after that decision. At the same time, the government states that it currently has no plans to launch the negotiation process.
How do you rate this article?
