New rules for Swedish citizenship from 6 June 2026
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Eight years of residence, a self-sufficiency requirement, and requirements on Swedish language and knowledge of society.
Residence period
The general rule rose from five to eight years. The Migration Agency lists shorter periods in certain cases, including two years for Nordic citizens and former Swedish citizens, five years for stateless persons, seven years for refugees, seven years for applicants under 21, seven years for the spouse or partner of a Swedish citizen after at least five years of marriage, and ten years for someone who cannot prove their identity.
Self-sufficiency
A lasting income from employment or business is required, corresponding to at least three income base amounts per year, which the Migration Agency describes as roughly SEK 20,000 a month before tax. A partner's income, assets and temporary work do not count. Social assistance must not have been received for more than six months during the past three years. Exemptions exist for, among others, pensioners, people with a permanent disability, and full-time university students with approved results.
Knowledge of Swedish and of society
The requirement applies to people aged 16 to 66. Knowledge can be shown with grades from Swedish school, from municipal adult education or folk high school, or with a pass in Swedish for immigrants (SFI). Anyone who cannot demonstrate it that way is referred to the citizenship test. The test is introduced in stages: civics from August 2026, a Swedish language test later.
Children
For children under 15, three years of residence applies, two years for stateless children. From 15, five years applies. Children must now submit their own application.
Honest way of life
Waiting periods after criminal convictions have been tightened. The details appear in the Migration Agency's information and in the legislation.
Always check your own situation directly with the Migration Agency. This page is a summary, not legal advice.
Sources checked for this page
- Migrationsverket — New rules for Swedish citizenship from 6 June 2026
- Ordinance (2026:451) on the citizenship test
We check these pages every fortnight and print the date above even when nothing has changed.
Updated 2026-08-31 · Next review 2026-09-14. Source of the factual content: Sverige i fokus — study material for the citizenship test, UHR and Skolverket, 2026.