On January 14, 2025, the Swedish government received the report "Stricter Requirements for Swedish Citizenshipopens in a new tab." The report proposes tightening the requirements for Swedish citizenship on several grounds. According to current regulations, the main rule is that a person must have had a habitual residence in Sweden for at least five years and hold a permanent residence permit to be granted citizenship. Currently, there is no requirement for Swedish language skills or knowledge about Swedish society/values, nor must the person applying for citizenship be able to support themselves.
What are the new requirements for Swedish citizenship?
It is proposed that the requirement for habitual residence is extended by three years, meaning the main rule for acquiring Swedish citizenship would be that the individual has lived in Sweden for at least eight years. Shorter periods of habitual residence may be granted as exceptions for, for example, children, young adults aged 18–20, those who are married to or cohabiting with a Swedish citizen, and stateless persons. The government argues that the proposal to extend habitual residence aims to ensure that individuals applying for Swedish citizenship have increased knowledge of Swedish society. It should also provide a greater opportunity to identify individuals engaged in security-threatening activities. The proposal aligns with the habitual residency requirements in Nordic neighboring countries.
A requirement for the ability to support oneself is also proposed, meaning that the person applying for citizenship must have a stable income from either employment or business activities. Exceptions to the maintenance requirement are proposed for those who are studying, have an income-based pension, or have other special reasons. The maintenance requirement should not apply if the applicant is a child.
The government also presents a proposal for stricter requirements regarding conduct and lifestyle. It is proposed that the waiting period between the time an individual has committed a crime and when citizenship can be granted is extended. Previously proposed introductions of a citizenship test in Swedish language and knowledge about Swedish society are suggested to be expanded to include additional areas, such as the role of the media in society and children's rights.
The new regulations are proposed to enter into force on June 1, 2026.
Illustration showcasing the new requirements for becoming a Swedish citizen.
KPMG's comments
The proposals for stricter citizenship requirements are expected and align with previous measures proposed by the government in the field of migration. The measures are also consistent with the regulations in Nordic neighboring countries as well as in other EU countries.
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