The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has criticized Iceland's central digital information and service portal, island.is, stating that it does not meet the necessary EEA regulations. This portal was intended to facilitate services for individuals and providers in other EEA countries, but ESA found it lacking in its effectiveness since its inception around 2000. The portal's primary purpose is to enable service providers to complete all government registrations and recognition of qualifications electronically from a single platform.

Originally opened in the early 2000s, island.is has undergone various changes over the years. Despite these efforts, ESA's recent assessment indicates that the portal is still insufficient and fails to provide adequate services as stipulated by the EEA rules. The ESA is calling for significant changes to be made, urging Iceland to enhance the functionality of its digital service portal to allow for smoother interactivity and processing for end-users.

Since the issue was first raised in 2020, concerns have mounted regarding the digital services provided by the Icelandic government. Stakeholders had expected island.is to facilitate better engagement and access to services, yet the criticisms highlight ongoing challenges in achieving this vision. Enhancing the portal is not only crucial for compliance but also essential for improving public trust and efficiency in governmental processes.