Swedish citizenship requirements 2026: the full picture

Sweden changed its citizenship rules on June 6, 2026. This article summarizes the requirements for adults as Migrationsverket describes them, in plain English. It is a study aid and an orientation, not legal advice: your own case always depends on your situation, and only Migrationsverket can assess it. Updated in July 2026.

The requirements at a glance

As a main rule, an adult applying for Swedish citizenship must:

• Prove their identity, normally with original identity documents with a photo, such as a passport or ID card.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a permanent residence permit, residence status, or right of residence. Nordic citizens have their own simpler path.
• Have lived in Sweden long enough (see the residence times below).
• Be self-sufficient (see the income requirement below).
• Show knowledge of Swedish and of Swedish society if aged 16 to 66.
• Have lived and be expected to live an honest life (skötsamt och hederligt levnadssätt▶). Convictions lead to waiting periods before citizenship is possible.

Residence time

From June 6, 2026 the main rule is at least 8 years of continuous residence, up from 5. Migrationsverket lists shorter times for some groups:

• Nordic citizens: 2 years.
• Stateless persons: 5 years.
• Recognized refugees: 7 years.
• People under 21: 7 years.
• Married to, registered partner of, or cohabiting with a Swedish citizen: 7 years, if you have lived together for at least 5 of them.

A longer time, 10 years, applies if your identity cannot be fully verified.

The income requirement

Applicants roughly of working age must be able to support themselves through their own income. Migrationsverket sets the level at three income base amounts per year, which in 2026 is 250,200 kronor, about 20,850 kronor per month before tax. The income should be stable and come from unsubsidized work or business. There are exceptions, for example for people receiving pension, people who cannot work because of a permanent disability, and full-time students with approved results.

The knowledge requirement

If you are between 16 and 66, you need to show knowledge of Swedish and of Swedish society. Migrationsverket accepts several kinds of proof, for example approved Swedish grades from year 9 or higher, certain other qualifications such as Tisus, and the new citizenship tests: the society test (medborgarskapsprov) from August 2026, and a language test planned for autumn 2027. The full list of accepted proof is on Migrationsverket's website.

If the society test is your route, our guide to how the medborgarskapsprov works covers the format and dates, and our study path covers the material.

The application itself

• The application fee for an adult is 2,900 kronor, and it is not refunded if the application is refused.
• You apply online through Migrationsverket's e-service or on paper.
• You will be called to a personal identity check (personlig inställelse) at one of Migrationsverket's service locations.
• Children no longer ride along on a parent's application; they apply individually, with their own age-based rules.

Processing takes time. Migrationsverket publishes current processing statistics on its website, so check there for what to expect.

Sources: Migrationsverket: ansök om svenskt medborgarskap, Migrationsverket: nya regler från 6 juni 2026.

Independent study material. Not affiliated with UHR or Migrationsverket. Not legal advice.