Paying for sex is now illegal in Iceland.

In April 2009 the Icelandic Parliament passed new legislation that makes paying for sex illegal (the client commits a crime, but not the prostitute).

Opinion polls have shown that up to 70% of the Icelandic population supports banning the purchase of sexual services.

There was no visible prostitution in Iceland until the 1990s. In the mid-90's night clubs emerged in which women worked not only as barmaids and dancers, but also as prostitutes, especially in Reykjavík.

Until 2007, selling sex was illegal: according to the 206th article of the Icelandic Penal Code (almenn hegningarlög): "Anyone engaging in prostitution for own upkeep shall be subject to imprisonment for up to 2 years." That paragraph was deleted in 2007, as the government argued that most people who sell sex do so because they have no other choice or because they are forced into prostitution by others. By making selling sex legal, the government believes individuals who have been forced into prostitution would rather come forward and lead police to those responsible.

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