Legal opinion warns tourist fee plans could breach EEA rules

A planned nature and infrastructure fee for foreign visitors to three Icelandic attractions could breach the EEA Agreement, according to a legal opinion reported by mbl.is.

Haraldur Þór Jónsson, head of Skeiða- og Gnúpverjahreppur municipality, said any such fee would have to apply without discrimination, meaning Icelanders would also have to pay.

Bláskógabyggð, Grímsnes- og Grafningshreppur, Hrunamannahreppur and Skeiða- og Gnúpverjahreppur commissioned the opinion on whether charging foreign tourists to visit Gullfoss and Geysir, two natural attractions, and Þingvellir National Park would comply with the EEA Agreement.

The opinion, written by Supreme Court attorney Stefán Geir Þórisson of Forum lögmenn, says there is a significant likelihood that the proposed fee would not comply with certain provisions of the agreement. It also says raising state revenue would not be sufficient justification and argues that the plans would be discriminatory, citing a ruling by the European Court of Justice in a case against Italy.