Proposed changes to the requirements for acquiring Swedish citizenship
On 9 February 2026, the Swedish Government hosted a press conference where they shared its intent to finalize the draft bill which outlines significantly stricter criteria. These changes form part of a broader political initiative to strengthen integration and emphasise the obligations associated with Swedish citizenship.
Key Proposed Changes
Extended Residence Requirement
The draft bill proposes extending the minimum time required to have lived in Sweden before being eligible to apply for citizenship:
- Refugee status applicants: increase from 4 years to 7 years
- Other applicants (standard rule): increase from 5 years to 8 years
This change aims to ensure a longer established home base in Sweden prior to citizenship.
Language and Society Requirements
Applicants will be required to demonstrate:
- Sufficient Swedish language skills.
- Knowledge of Swedish society— to be assessed via a citizenship test introduced in autumn 2026.
Income Requirement
A new self-sufficiency requirement will be introduced:
- Applicants must have a stable income — proposed at a level equivalent to approximately SEK 20,000 per month (gross).
- Periods of long-term reliance on social assistance may negatively impact eligibility.
Lawful and orderly behaviour
Stricter assessments of applicants’ conduct will be applied:
- Applicants must demonstrate a long-term record of lawful and orderly behaviour.
- The period that must have passed since certain criminal convictions is proposed to be significantly extended.
When This Would Take Effect
The Swedish Government aims to have most changes enter into force on Sweden’s National Day — 6 June 2026. It is important to note that this is still a proposal which must complete the legislative process before becoming law.
What This Means for Your Employees
If these legislative changes are adopted:
- Applicants who have not yet met 5 years of residency may need to plan for additional years in Sweden before applying.
- Individuals who already submitted a citizenship application may experience changes in processing criteria once the new law enters into force.
- Employers and HR teams may wish to communicate the upcoming language/society examination expectations to employees considering future citizenship applications.
We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as the proposal progresses through the legislative process.
Should you have any questions regarding the proposed changes or wish to discuss how they may impact your employees’ long-term plans, please contact our team at
