Republic of Iceland

Brazil and Iceland established consular relations in 1923 and diplomatic relations in 1952. The Embassy of Brazil in Oslo (Norway) is concurrently accredited to the Icelandic Government. Brazil also has an Honorary Consul in Reykjavík.

 Iceland is represented in Brazil by means of its Embassy in Washington and has Honorary Consuls in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

The Free Trade Agreement between MERCOSUR and EFTA (European Free Trade Association, composed of Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Iceland and Norway) should allow increased access of Brazilian products and services to the markets of the Association member countries. Bilateral cooperation in fishery resources and fish farming benefits from the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2011 between the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture of Brazil and the Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture of Iceland.

Over the past years, Brazilian exports to Iceland have almost entirely consisted of calcined alumina, an important product to the main activity of the local heavy industry. In 2019, sales of this material accounted for more than $114 million of the total $118 million in exports. Other items included coffee, cereals and mechanical machinery. Brazil’s main imports from Iceland were fish and seafood followed by aluminum and precision instruments, totaling $12.3 million.

The Brazilian community in Iceland is estimated at 109 people. The Council of Brazilian Citizens in Iceland, created in 2007, is the main contact between the Brazilian community in Iceland and the Brazilian Government.

Chronology of the bilateral relations

2019 - The MERCOSUR-EFTA Free Trade Agreement negotiations are concluded

2017 – The MERCOSUR-EFTA Free Trade Agreement negotiations are initiated

2016 – A document that would be the basis for the  MERCOSUR-EFTA free trade negotiations is adopted

2014 - Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson visits Brazil

2011 - Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Brazilian Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Icelandic Ministry of Fisheries and Agriculture

2000 - MERCOSUR and EFTA (European Free Trade Association, made up of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) launch an economic dialogue mechanism between the two blocs

1969 – Signing of an Agreement on the Exemption of Visas in Passports

1956 - Signing of a Trade Agreement

1952 - Establishment of diplomatic relations