By Zainab Bakare
Sweden has approved sweeping reforms to its citizenship framework, tightening eligibility requirements for foreign nationals.
The new rules are scheduled to take effect from June 6, 2026.
Under the revised policy, the minimum residency requirement for citizenship will increase from five to eight years.
Authorities say the change is intended to strengthen integration and ensure applicants demonstrate a long-term commitment to life in Sweden.
The updated rules will apply to both new and pending applications that have not been decided before the implementation date.
This means eligibility will depend on when a decision is made, potentially affecting applicants who were close to meeting the previous five-year threshold.
Applicants will also be required to prove financial self-sufficiency, including stable income and independence from state welfare.
In addition, mandatory language and civics tests will be introduced, requiring basic Swedish language skills and knowledge of society from 2027.
The reforms further restrict fast-track citizenship pathways, while allowing children to apply independently without relying on a parent’s application.
Officials say the changes aim to modernise the system and reinforce integration standards.
