• The proposed residency requirement for Swedish citizenship is set to increase from five to eight years.
• Refugees may apply for citizenship after seven years, while those without identity proof may wait up to ten years.
• A robust self-sufficiency requirement and an increased application fee are also part of the new suggestions.
• The changes are expected to take effect starting June 1, 2026, with no retroactive application.

In a significant shift in its immigration policy, the Swedish government has put forward a proposal to lengthen the residency requirement for individuals seeking citizenship from the current five years to eight years. This change is part of a wider inquiry spearheaded by Judge Kirsi Laakso Utvik, detailing stricter rules governing citizenship applications in Sweden. Refugees will still have a streamlined process, able to apply after seven years, while those who are unable to prove their identities will be subjected to a ten-year wait.

Alongside the longer residency requirement, the proposal includes a mandate for citizenship applicants to demonstrate a habit of self-sufficiency, essentially requiring proof of a stable income or salary sufficient to cover living costs. Currently, there is no such requirement for citizenship seekers, despite its existence for permanent residence applications since 2021. For context, the projected minimum monthly income is set at 6,186 kronor for single adults starting in 2025.

The inquiry also advocates for stricter evaluation of an applicant’s character through a detailed examination of their social conduct, termed hederligt levnadssätt, which will now account for behaviour both within Sweden and internationally. In addition, the timeline for eligibility post-offense is expected to be extended. Migration Minister Johan Forssell highlighted that the approach is rooted in the belief that "the time when the Swedish citizenship was handed out almost without any demands is definitely over".

In a bid to ensure that applicants are well-equipped with knowledge pertinent to their new status, a significant change to the civics test is also proposed. New topics will cover media's role in society and children's rights according to the UN Convention. Additionally, the application fee is poised to more than double, increasing from 1,400 kronor to 2,900 kronor for adults, with a new fee of 475 kronor applicable to children.

The proposed regulations are slated to take effect on June 1, 2026, and importantly, these changes will not retroactively impact individuals who apply before this date. Minister Forssell has assured stakeholders that their feedback will be consulted on these proposals, with the government prepared to make adjustments as necessary before the draft laws are submitted to parliament for approval.

This inquiry and its recommendations are part of the government’s broader "migration paradigm shift," indicating a considerable transformation in Sweden's approach to citizenship and immigration. This ongoing dialogue aims to refine how Sweden manages its immigration policies while promoting a sense of national pride associated with citizenship. For the latest updates, visit The Local.