Sweden tightens citizenship rules without transition period

Sweden’s parliament has approved stricter citizenship requirements effective 6 June, applying even to pending applications, after rejecting opposition calls for transitional rules, SVT Nyheter reports.

The new rules extend the residency requirement from five to eight years before an application can be submitted. Applicants aged 16 or older must also pass a citizenship test covering Swedish language proficiency and civic knowledge, though the test may not be introduced until 1 October.

A new income threshold of 241,800 SEK (around €21,000) in annual earnings is required, alongside stricter demands for “good conduct” and lawful behaviour.

Opposition parties—including the Left Party (V), Green Party (MP), Social Democrats (S), and Centre Party (C)—had proposed transitional rules for those already in the application process. Left Party MP Tony Haddou argued that applicants should rely on the rules in place when they submitted their requests, while Green Party MP Annika Hirvonen called the change “a betrayal” of thousands waiting years for decisions due to processing delays at the Migration Agency.

“They’ve done everything right, contributed, and followed the rules the Moderates say should be rewarded,” Hirvonen said during the debate.

Moderate Party MP Viktor Wärnick defended the immediate implementation, citing national security and the need to prevent criminals from obtaining citizenship. “We want this legislation to take full effect as soon as possible,” he stated.

The opposition’s proposal for transitional rules was narrowly defeated 147–146. The government’s bill ultimately passed 258–33, with 58 MPs absent. The Centre Party and Social Democrats supported parts of the reform but pushed for adjustments, such as raising the age for language and civic tests to 18 and allowing faster citizenship for high taxpayers.

The Moderates, Sweden Democrats, Christian Democrats, and Liberals backed the government’s full proposal.