The migration agency (Migrationsverket) has announced that the Swedish Parliament has decided on new rules for obtaining Swedish citizenship.
The requirements for habitual residence in Sweden and for leading an orderly life will become stricter. In addition, applicants will be required to be self-sufficient and to have a good knowledge of the Swedish language and Swedish society.
The rules will come into force on June 6, 2026. The rules will be introduced without transitional arrangements. This means that the Swedish Migration Agency will assess all cases that have not been decided before June 6, 2026 according to the new rules.
Habitual residence and orderly life
The main rule for how long a person must have been resident in Sweden will increase from five to eight years. Different time limits apply to certain groups. There will be stricter requirements regarding living an orderly life. This means, among other things, that a person who has committed a crime will have to wait longer before they can be granted Swedish citizenship.
Self-sufficiency
To meet the new maintenance requirement, which does not apply to children, the applicant must
- have an annual income of at least three income base amounts (approximately SEK 20,000 per month before tax);
- have a long-term income from employment or self-employment;
- not have received income support (försörjningsstöd) for more than a total of six months over the past three years.
Some people may be exempt, for example those receiving an old-age pension or those with permanent disabilities. Exemptions may also apply to people studying at a certain level with satisfactory results, for example full-time studies at a Swedish university or university college leading to a degree.
Knowledge of language and society
Knowledge of the Swedish language and Swedish society will become mandatory for applicants aged 16 to 66. Knowledge can be demonstrated, for example, through school grades, Swedish for Immigrants (SFI course D), municipal adult education or a folk high school. If it is not possible to provide evidence of knowledge, the applicant will be offered the opportunity to take a citizenship test.
Citizenship tests will be introduced gradually. The first part will be introduced in August 2026 and will cover knowledge of Swedish society. Tests in the Swedish language will be introduced at a later stage.
The Swedish Migration Agency is responsible for assessing applications and for instructing applicants to register for the test, while the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) is responsible for developing, administering and marking the test.
Further changes
- Children will no longer be included in a parent’s application. This means that children must submit their own application, which must be signed by their parent/legal guardian.
- Only adult Nordic citizens, stateless children and young adults born in Sweden, and fathers of children born outside marriage and outside Sweden before April 1, 2015, will be able to submit a notification of Swedish citizenship. All others must apply for citizenship.
- Certain people who previously lost their Swedish citizenship will be able to apply to regain it. This change applies to people who lost their Swedish citizenship at the age of 22 because they were born abroad and have never lived in Sweden – nor have they been in Sweden under circumstances that suggest a connection with the country
Erickson Insights and Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.