EEA Social Security Law Conference in Reykjavik organized by CENTENOL and Reykjavik University
Join us in Reykjav铆k 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鈥攍eading 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:
Nauth贸ll, Nauth贸lsvegur 106, 102 Reykjav铆k
Registration:
Participation is free of charge.
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You can register here: 听
We look forward to welcoming you to Reykjav铆k in November!
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Conference Programme:听
EEA Social Security Law: Nordic Perspectives听
08.30-09.00:
Registration and coffee
09:00鈥09:20:听听
Welcome听
Christian Franklin (University of Bergen) and Gunnar 脼贸r P茅tursson (Reykjav铆k University)听
09:20鈥09:40:听听
The role of the EFTA Court in the field of EEA Social Security Law听
P谩ll Hreinsson (The EFTA Court)听
09:40鈥10:00:听听
What did Norway do after the NAV scandal?听
Halvard Haukeland Fredriksen (University of Bergen)听
10:00鈥10:20:听听
Icelandic Law and Practice in the field of EEA Social Security Law听
Margr茅t Einarsd贸ttir (Reykjav铆k University)听
10:20鈥11:00:听 Break听
11:00鈥11:20:听听
The role of the Althingi Ombudsman in EEA Social Security Law听
Kristin Benediktsd贸ttir (The Althingi Ombudsman)听
11:20鈥11:40:听听
The role of ESA in the field of EEA Social Security Law听
J贸n铆na S. L谩rusd贸ttir (The EFTA Surveillance Authority)听
11:40鈥12:00:听听
What lessons can the Norwegian NAV scandal provide for public administration generally?听
Ingunn Ikdahl (University of Oslo)听
12:00鈥12:50:听听
Panel听
Hafsteinn Dan Kristj谩nsson (Chair, Reykjav铆k University), Fl贸ki 脕sgeirsson (Lawyer, Organization of Disabled People in Iceland), Rakel 脼orsteinsd贸ttir (Welfare Appeals Committee), Halvard Haukeland Fredriksen听
12:50 鈥 13:40: Lunch听
13:40鈥14:00: 听
The delicate boundary between social assistance and social advantages in EU law听
Catherine Barnard (University of Cambridge)听
14:00鈥14:20:听听
Comprehensive sickness insurance as a condition for right of residence for more than three months听
Christian Franklin (University of Bergen)听
14:20鈥14:30:听Break听
14:30鈥15:30:听听
Panel听
Hendrik Da冒i J贸nsson (Chair, Ministry for Foreign Affairs), Christian Franklin (University of Bergen), Berglind 脻r Karlsd贸ttir (Iceland Health), Georges Baur (Liechtenstein Institute), Jaan Paju (University of Stockholm), Margr茅t Einarsd贸ttir (Reykjav铆k University), Telma Halld贸rsd贸ttir (Registers Iceland)听
15:30鈥16:00: 听
Concluding Remarks听
Inga S忙land (Minister of Social Affairs and Housing)听
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, 黑料吃瓜资源
- Partners: University of Agder, University of Stavanger, Reykjavik University and Liechtenstein-Institut.