STOCKHOLM — Sweden has introduced stricter requirements for people applying for Swedish citizenship.

The new rules took effect on 6 June 2026 and apply to applications that had not been decided by that date, including applications submitted before the changes came into force. 

For many people, becoming a Swedish citizen will now take longer and require more than simply meeting the previous residence requirement.

you may need to live in sweden for longer

The standard residence requirement has increased from 5 years to 8 years.

There are shorter residence requirements for some groups. Nordic citizens and former Swedish citizens generally need 2 years of residence, while stateless people and certain young applicants have different requirements. Refugees generally need 7 years, and people who are married to, in a registered partnership with, or living with a Swedish citizen may qualify after 7 years if they have lived together for 5 years and their partner has been a Swedish citizen for 5 years.

If you cannot prove your identity, you may need to have lived in Sweden for 10 years before becoming a citizen.

you now need to support yourself

A new financial requirement means that applicants must generally be able to support themselves through their own income.

Your income must reach at least 3 income base amounts per year, which Migrationsverket currently describes as approximately SEK 20,000 per month before tax. You also need to have a stable, long-term income from employment or self-employment.

There are also restrictions on receiving income support. Generally, you must not have received income support for more than 6 months in total during the previous 3 years. Income from a partner, savings or property does not count towards the requirement.

Some people may be exempt, including certain pensioners, people with permanent disabilities and some students.

swedish language and society knowledge are now required

Applicants aged 16 to 66 must now demonstrate knowledge of Swedish and Swedish society.

There are several ways to meet the requirement. Depending on your circumstances, an approved SFI course D result, Swedish school grades or certain studies at Komvux or a folk high school may be accepted as evidence of your knowledge.

If you cannot demonstrate your knowledge through an approved qualification, you will be able to take a citizenship test. The tests are being introduced in stages. The first part, covering knowledge of Swedish society, is being introduced in August 2026, with a Swedish-language test expected at a later stage.

conduct requirements are stricter

The rules around how you have lived in Sweden have also become stricter.

If you have committed a crime, you will generally have to wait longer before you can become a Swedish citizen. The qualifying periods following criminal offences have been extended under the new rules.

This means that meeting the residence requirement alone is no longer enough. Your circumstances and conduct can also affect when you are able to apply.

children must apply separately

Children can no longer simply be included in a parent's citizenship application.

From 6 June 2026, children must submit their own application, signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Different residence requirements apply depending on the child's age and circumstances. Children under 15 generally need to have lived in Sweden for 3 years, while children aged 15 or over generally need 5 years. Nordic children generally have a 2-year residence requirement.

Children do not need to meet the new self-support requirement. However, from age 15 they must have lived an orderly and honest life, and from age 16 they must also meet the Swedish language and Swedish society knowledge requirements.

some notification routes have changed

The rules for acquiring citizenship through notification have also changed.

From 6 June, notification is limited to certain groups, including adult Nordic citizens, stateless children and certain young adults born in Sweden. People who no longer qualify through notification will generally need to apply for citizenship instead.

what it means for you

If you are planning to apply for Swedish citizenship, the new rules mean it is worth checking which requirements apply to your particular situation before you apply.

The changes affect how long you need to have lived in Sweden, your financial circumstances, your knowledge of Swedish and Swedish society and, in some cases, your conduct. The rules can also differ depending on your age, citizenship, family situation and reason for living in Sweden.

For the latest requirements and to check your situation, always refer to Migrationsverket's current guidance.

Have these major shifts in residency timelines, income thresholds, and testing, impacted your path to Swedish citizenship? We would love to hear from you. Confidentially share your thoughts or experiences by emailing us at info@newroots.se.