Eva Hauksdottir comes from Reykjavík in Iceland and has been working at ESA since 2021. In the interview below, Eva shares some of her insights and experiences from working at ESA.

1. What is your current position at the EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) and which fields do you mostly work with?

I am a Legal Officer at the Internal Market Affairs Directorate (IMA). My work primarily focuses on Energy, Environment, and Climate law within the EEA.

It is a broad portfolio, but this means that on any given day I might be looking issues as diverse as electricity markets, environmental targets, or diving into the technicalities of Carbon Capture and Storage.

A key part of my work often involves legal – and often technical – assessments of how various EEA rules are implemented into national law and applied in practice.

2. How did you end up in this position?

My interest in EU and EEA law began during my law studies. Here I had a strong focus on EEA law, and I had the opportunity to teach different courses at the university of Iceland. When ESA announced vacancies for its Junior Professional programme, applying was an obvious choice.

I joined ESA in 2021 as a Junior Professional in the Internal Market Affairs Directorate, where I worked on a variety of issues related to the internal market. Each with its own legal and practical intricacies of the EEA Agreement. I developed a particular interest in legislation related to climate, energy and the environment, and was given the opportunity to specialise further in these areas when I first got the job with ESA as a temporary legal officer.

Working in these fast-evolving fields is both challenging and rewarding, particularly as sustainability and climate objectives continue to drive policy and regulatory developments, as well as our everyday lives.

3. What is your experience like working at ESA?

ESA is a truly international workplace. You have colleagues from different backgrounds and legal traditions, which makes for a dynamic environment. From the start, I have been given real responsibility, working on complex legal issues that require both legal analysis and a practical understanding of how rules are applied.

I especially value the dialogue with national authorities and stakeholders, as it provides direct insight into how EEA rules function on the ground and the challenges involved in their implementation.

4. How has your experience been living in Brussels?

I really enjoy living in Brussels and I love how alive the city feels. There’s always something going on, whether it’s a concert, an exhibition, or a new café to try. It’s a truly international place, which makes it easy for a foreigner to feel at home. Being at the heart of European decision-making is exciting, but it’s the everyday energy of the city that I’ve come to appreciate most.

5. What do you wish more people knew about the EEA Agreement?

I think many people don’t realise the positive impacts the EEA Agreement has on their daily lives. For example, if you’ve ever dreamed of working in another EEA country, studying at a university abroad, or simply packing up and moving, it's largely thanks to the EEA Agreement that you can do so while skipping piles of paperwork and admin. By removing unnecessary barriers, it makes such big decisions easier, whether for a new job, an adventure, or just a change of scenery.

6. Why do you think ESA’s work is important, and in what sense is it meaningful to you?

ESA plays a crucial role in ensuring that the rights and obligations under the EEA Agreement are respected. I believe that our work, as an independent authority overseeing compliance with the agreement, helps maintain legal certainty and predictability for individuals and businesses, ensuring that the internal market operates fairly and efficiently across the three EEA EFTA States.