Iceland’s approach to prostitution stands out among European countries. Under Icelandic law, selling sex is not a criminal offence, but anyone who pays for sexual services commits a crime. This model, sometimes called the “Nordic model,” was introduced in 2009 after significant debate and aligns Iceland with legal frameworks seen in Sweden, Norway and later, Canada.
The logic behind these laws stems from a belief that most people who engage in selling sex do so out of necessity or through coercion. By decriminalising the act of selling sex, the Icelandic government hoped to encourage those forced into prostitution to come forward and help authorities identify traffickers or exploiters. The move, made official in 2007 when a previous law criminalising prostitution was repealed, received support from international women’s groups.
A law shaped by feminism and public opinion
When Parliament passed its 2009 legislation, Iceland became part of a broader Scandinavian trend. The legal change was championed by politicians such as Ásta Ragnheiður Jóhannesdóttir and Kolbrún Halldórsdóttir. The wider vision originally also sought to ban stripping, a move fulfilled by a 2010 law. Policymakers articulated that the law was rooted in recognising the dignity of all individuals, refusing to accept anyone as a commodity. These ideas resonated broadly in society: a 2007 poll showed about 70 percent of Icelanders supported criminalising the purchase of sex, with notably higher support among women than men.
Feminist groups in Iceland and abroad have regarded the law as progressive, although debates persist, some voices worry such laws drive prostitution further underground, making it harder to help vulnerable people. Notably, the ban on street prostitution has resulted in a shift, with sex workers now more likely to advertise through word of mouth or online platforms. The dating sites themselves have attempted to keep illicit activity off their pages, but enforcement remains an ongoing challenge.
Policing, human trafficking and new challenges
Despite the intention to protect sex workers, local authorities face major obstacles in enforcement. A 2017 national police report described a dramatic increase in prostitution over the previous 18 months, with a majority of those selling sex being non-Icelandic. The police linked this rise to organised crime and human trafficking, further complicated because victims are often unwilling or unable to testify due to fear or coercion.
Resources for policing the sex trade are limited, leading to the emergence of vigilante groups like Stóra systir (‘Big Sister’). Prostitution in the capital frequently takes place in rented apartments, often advertised short-term via platforms such as Airbnb. Iceland’s relative affluence and geographical location have made it a destination for sex tourism, especially given its position within the Schengen Zone, which traffickers exploit to temporarily move women from Eastern Europe and South America.
The state has codified steep penalties for trafficking: anyone convicted of sex trafficking or forced labour under Article 227a of Iceland’s criminal code can face up to 12 years in prison. Despite these measures, the United States downgraded Iceland’s ranking in 2017 as a country not fully meeting minimum standards for eliminating trafficking, reflecting ongoing problems.
Prostitution in Iceland operates in the shadows, legally complex, socially fraught and deeply connected to broader conversations about gender, migration and enforcement in a changing society.
