EEA Social Security Law Conference in Reykjavik organized by CENTENOL and Reykjavik University
Join us in Reykjavík on 20 November 2025 for a conference exploring how EU and EEA law affects national social security systems, with a particular focus on Iceland and Norway. The event is inspired by the Norwegian NAV scandal, which revealed serious consequences of misinterpreting EEA law—leading to wrongful convictions and unjust repayment claims. The conference will shed light on the broader legal and institutional implications for Nordic welfare states.
Program and Practical Information
The full program is attached and may be subject to minor changes. The day will feature expert lectures and discussions on the intersection of EEA law and national welfare legislation, including the role of the EFTA Surveillance Authority in Iceland and Norway.
Venue:
Nauthóll, Nauthólsvegur 106, 102 Reykjavík
Registration:
Participation is free of charge.
You can register here: https://www.eventure-online.com/eventure/login.form?Pfd96ed4e-b114-4ae8-9954-19679c431c07 (ekstern lenke)
We look forward to welcoming you to Reykjavík in November!
Conference Programme:
EEA Social Security Law: Nordic Perspectives
08.30-09.00:
Registration and coffee
09:00–09:20:
Welcome
Christian Franklin (University of Bergen) and Gunnar Þór Pétursson (Reykjavík University)
09:20–09:40:
The role of the EFTA Court in the field of EEA Social Security Law
Páll Hreinsson (The EFTA Court)
09:40–10:00:
What did Norway do after the NAV scandal?
Halvard Haukeland Fredriksen (University of Bergen)
10:00–10:20:
Icelandic Law and Practice in the field of EEA Social Security Law
Margrét Einarsdóttir (Reykjavík University)
10:20–11:00: Break
11:00–11:20:
The role of the Althingi Ombudsman in EEA Social Security Law
Kristin Benediktsdóttir (The Althingi Ombudsman)
11:20–11:40:
The role of ESA in the field of EEA Social Security Law
Jónína S. Lárusdóttir (The EFTA Surveillance Authority)
11:40–12:00:
What lessons can the Norwegian NAV scandal provide for public administration generally?
Ingunn Ikdahl (University of Oslo)
12:00–12:50:
Panel
Hafsteinn Dan Kristjánsson (Chair, Reykjavík University), Flóki Ásgeirsson (Lawyer, Organization of Disabled People in Iceland), Rakel Þorsteinsdóttir (Welfare Appeals Committee), Halvard Haukeland Fredriksen
12:50 – 13:40: Lunch
13:40–14:00:
The delicate boundary between social assistance and social advantages in EU law
Catherine Barnard (University of Cambridge)
14:00–14:20:
Comprehensive sickness insurance as a condition for right of residence for more than three months
Christian Franklin (University of Bergen)
14:20–14:30: Break
14:30–15:30:
Panel
Hendrik Daði Jónsson (Chair, Ministry for Foreign Affairs), Christian Franklin (University of Bergen), Berglind Ýr Karlsdóttir (Iceland Health), Georges Baur (Liechtenstein Institute), Jaan Paju (University of Stockholm), Margrét Einarsdóttir (Reykjavík University), Telma Halldórsdóttir (Registers Iceland)
15:30–16:00:
Concluding Remarks
Inga Sæland (Minister of Social Affairs and Housing)
CENTENOL
- Full title: Centre on the Europeanization of Norwegian Law - Understanding EEA Law as an integral part of Norwegian Law
- Principal investigator and director of CENTENOL: Christian N.K. Franklin
- Period: 01.06.23 - 31.05.28.
- Bugdet: 21 million NOK
- Main funding: Research Council of Norway (grant 341224)
- Coordinator: Faculty of Law, UiB
- Partners: University of Agder, University of Stavanger, Reykjavik University and Liechtenstein-Institut.