New rules for Swedish citizenship from 6 June 2026

From 6 June, you must as a general rule have lived in Sweden for at least eight years (previously five years). The rules below apply to adult applicants. Special provisions apply to children.

Different time periods apply to certain groups:

• 2 years if you are a Nordic citizen or a former Swedish citizen
• 5 years if you are stateless (previously 4 years)
• 7 years if you are a refugee (previously 4 years)
• 7 years if you are under 21 years of age
• 7 years if you are married to, in a registered partnership with, or cohabiting with a Swedish citizen (previously 3 years), provided that you have lived together for five years and your partner has been a Swedish citizen for five years.

If you cannot prove your identity, you can get Swedish citizenship at the earliest after ten years in Sweden.

If you have committed a crime, a certain period must pass before you can become a Swedish citizen. This is known as a qualifying period. This period will now be extended.

From 6 June 2026, you must be able to support yourself through your own income. Your income must correspond to at least three income base amounts per year. This is approximately SEK 20,000 per month before tax.

To meet this requirement, you must

• have a long-term income from employment or self-employment that is not subsidised (that your employer receives financial support for your employment)
• not have received income support (försörjningsstöd) for more than a total of six months over the past three years
• be able to show that your income is stable over time.
  

You cannot count

• income from a partner
• assets, such as savings or property
• temporary employment without long-term stability.
  

Some people may be exempt from this requirement, for example those receiving an old-age pension or those with permanent disabilities. People studying at a certain level with satisfactory results may also be exempt. This may include full-time studies at a Swedish university or higher education institution leading to a degree.

From 6 June 2026, you must demonstrate knowledge of the Swedish language and Swedish society. This requirement applies if you are between 16 and 66 years of age.

You can demonstrate your knowledge, for example, through

• grades from Swedish compulsory or upper secondary school
• studies at municipal adult education or a folk high school
• a passing grade in Swedish for Immigrants (SFI course D).
  

If you do not have documentation of your knowledge, you will have the opportunity to take a citizenship test.

The citizenship tests will be introduced gradually. The first part will be introduced in August 2026 and will cover knowledge of Swedish society. Swedish language tests will be introduced at a later stage.

How the first test will work

• The Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) is responsible for the citizenship test.
• You can only register for the test after receiving a letter from the Swedish Migration Agency.
• You will take the test in Stockholm.
• You can read more about the test and how to prepare on the Council’s website (uhr.se, only in Swedish) External link..
  

If you have a disability or other reasons that prevent you from meeting the requirements, you may be exempt.

As a general rule, the child must be able to prove their identity and have a permanent residence permit.

How long the child must have lived in Sweden depends on their age and citizenship. Children under the age of 15 must have lived in Sweden for three years, but if the child is stateless, they must have lived here for two years. For children over the age of 15, the requirement is five years. Children who are Nordic citizens, regardless of age, must have lived here for two years.

There are additional requirements for children. From the age of 15, the child must have lived an orderly and honest life. From the age of 16, there is also a requirement for knowledge of Swedish and Swedish society. Children do not need to support themselves.

From 6 June 2026, a child’s parent/legal guardian must apply via the e-service or complete an application form and send it to the Swedish Migration Agency.

In ongoing cases where children are included in a parent’s application, we will contact the child’s parent/legal guardian.

You may regain Swedish citizenship if the Swedish Migration Agency assesses that losing it has had disproportionate consequences for the applicant and any family members in Sweden or in another EU Member State. The Swedish Migration Agency will only take into account circumstances that occurred before the age of 22.