On June 6 2026 new rules entered into force for those seeking Swedish citizenship. Requirements including language skills and eight years of residency in Sweden were tightened on the national day.
Parliament voted in April to approve the change with 258 yes votes and 33 no. Transitional rules were not introduced despite requests from the opposition. Georgi Hubenov in Surahammar received his citizenship diploma under the old rules and welcomed the tightening. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson spoke in Strängnäs and said that citizenship becomes proof of loyalty to the new country. He stressed that the Swedish passport becomes something more than a travel document. Around 13 000 people are affected by the lack of transitional rules. The new requirements include a passed citizenship test in Swedish and civics as well as self-sufficiency equivalent to at least 20 850 kronor per month before tax.
