Citizenship in Sweden

Written by Luis Minvielle Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Luis Minvielle

Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: September 15, 2024

Next update: Scheduled for February 1, 2025

You need to live for five years in Sweden to request the Swedish citizenship. But it's hard to predict how long it will take to get approved. Some expats say they have to wait for up to four or five years after they apply. This article covers everything you must know if you’re considering becoming a Swedish citizen, including application methods, and necessary documents.

What are the benefits of Swedish citizenship?

It just takes an additional year to get the citizenship compared to the permanent residence in Sweden. The obvious benefit is the passport. You’ll now be able to work in Stockholm, Lisbon, Munich, or Madrid without any paperwork. Compared to permanent residents, Swedish citizens can vote in national elections for the Swedish Parliament. Plus, if you’re seriously passionate about politics, only citizens can run for a seat in Parliament.

Swedish citizenship also opens up certain career paths that are off-limits to non-citizens. For instance, if you’ve ever thought about joining the police or the armed forces, being a citizen is a must. Joining the Swedish police is an interesting career path, considering the good pay.

Does Sweden allow dual citizenship?

Yes, Sweden does allow dual citizenship, which means you can be a citizen of Sweden and another country (or even more) at the same time. If you become a Swedish citizen, you can keep your original citizenship as long as the other country also allows it.

However, there are some potential downsides to keep in mind. One of the biggest risks is that your Swedish citizenship might not be recognized by your other country of citizenship. This can be tricky if you find yourself in trouble abroad. For example, if you're detained by the police in that country, the Swedish authorities might not be allowed to help you out. In some cases, even meeting with someone from the Swedish embassy could be off the table.

What are the ways to get Swedish citizenship?

The most common way to get Swedish citizenship is through naturalisation, where you need to meet specific residency requirements, live in Sweden for a certain period, and fulfil certain conditions such as holding a permanent residence permit. Naturalisation is the typical path pursued by expats who want to become Swedish citizens.

Another option is citizenship by notification. This is a simpler process available to certain groups, such as Nordic citizens and young adults—18 to 21 years—who have lived in Sweden for a long time. The requirements for notification are generally less stringent than those for naturalisation, which makes it a faster route to citizenship for eligible people.

In some special cases, you might also be eligible for citizenship due to exceptional circumstances, such as being stateless.

When can you apply for Swedish citizenship?

To apply for Swedish citizenship, you must have lived in Sweden for five years. Still, this period can be shorter for Nordic citizens, or longer in special cases. In addition, you need to hold a permanent residence permit or have the right of residence as an EU citizen.

Living a non-problematic life in Sweden is also important. This means you must have a clean record, with no serious criminal offences. This sounds obvious and clichéd, but Swedish people are actually very concerned about violence, and new citizens should accommodate to demonstrating they are peaceful. Actually, at the beginning of 2024, the Swedish government proposed stricter requirements for acquiring citizenship by notification, especially for those with criminal ties, while also added protections to prevent forced renunciation of citizenship, particularly for vulnerable individuals. The new rules are expected to take effect on October 1, 2024.

What documents does Swedish citizenship require?

To apply for Swedish citizenship, you will need proof of identity, such as a valid passport, as well as proof of your permanent residence permit or right of residence. Additionally, you’ll need documents that verify how long you’ve lived in Sweden. These can include rental contracts, utility bills, or a certificate from the tax office. To prove that you’ve lived an orderly life, you may also need to provide a criminal record check.

If you choose to apply online using the e-service, there are a few extra requirements. You’ll need an e-identification to securely sign your application, an email address for communication, and a payment method for the application fee.

How to apply for Swedish citizenship?

Applying for Swedish citizenship is a simple process, especially if you opt to use the online e-service. The first step is to gather all the necessary documents, including proof of identity, residency, and your permanent residence permit.

Next, visit the Swedish Migration Agency’s website and use the e-service to complete your application. You’ll need your e-identification to sign the application, and you should be prepared to pay the application fee online.

Once you’ve filled out all the required information and uploaded your documents, submit your application. After submission, you’ll receive confirmation and updates via email. Processing times can vary, so it’s important to be patient while your application is reviewed.

If you’re a Nordic citizen or a young adult, you might have the option to file a notification with the County Administrative Board instead of going through the Swedish Migration Agency.

Can your family members get Swedish citizenship?

Yes, your family members can also apply for Swedish citizenship, but there are different processes and requirements depending on their relationship to you and their specific circumstances.

For instance, if you have children under 18 years old, they can be included in your application, making it easier for the whole family to acquire citizenship together. There’s also a simplified notification process for Nordic citizens, including young adults, which allows them to apply with fewer requirements if they meet specific criteria.

For adopted children under 15, the application process is similar, but they can also benefit from reduced fees.

What are Swedish citizenship fees?

The fee for a standard citizenship application is SEK 1,500 (roughly €130). But, for adopted children under 15, the fee is only SEK 175 (about €15). If you’re submitting an application for a child under 18 or for young adults aged 18 to 21, the fee is also SEK 175.

Also, regaining Swedish citizenship costs SEK 175, but if you’re reinstating citizenship lost before July 1, 2001, it’s SEK 475 (approximately €40). There are no fees for retaining or being released from Swedish citizenship. You can pay the fees online or with a credit card if you apply in person. And, if you submit your application on paper, you will need to pay by bank transfer.

In between the low fees and the quite easy process, Sweden has easily one of Europe’s most user-friendly citizenship experiences. Except for their very unpredictable waiting times…

How long does it take for Sweden to approve your citizenship?

In some cases, it takes expats around four years to hear back from the Swedish authorities, who’ll then approve and issue their citizenship petition. Some other applicants have reported that it’s taken up just a month, but it seems to be not the norm. And when expats hear back from Swedish authorities soon, it still implies they might need to wait four or five years to get their citizenship. So, yes, it’s a very long time. Still, according to the Migration Agency, 75% of citizenship cases are decided within 32 months, so the five-year cases could be outliers.

To speed up the waiting times, some expats suggest filing a complaint that “requests the process to conclude,” but the success of this appeal seems mixed.

What if your application is rejected?

If your application for Swedish citizenship is rejected, you won’t receive a refund of the application fees. Still, you do have the right to appeal the decision if you believe it was incorrect. To appeal, you’ll need to submit additional documentation or clarification to address any issues that led to the rejection.

In cases where you have paid the wrong fee, you can also request a refund by providing details of the payment error. You can contact the Migration Agency if you think there has been an overpayment.

Talk to an immigration expert

Whether you're drawn to Sweden for its renowned work-life balance, career opportunities, or the added security of citizenship, dealing with the application process can be a lot easier with the right help. Relocate.me is a trusted platform that offers guidance and resources to make your journey a little easier—especially because it’s where you can get your first Swedish job.

If you already have a job, you’re five years into your Swedish career, and now want to become a citizen, we can connect you with relocation and immigration experts so you can start your process. Get in touch with us.

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