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Sweden has much to offer people who desire to become citizens of the European Union. This small country of just over 10 million people is noted for its good quality of living, sophisticated infrastructure, and long life expectancy.
Sweden's citizens appreciate living in an eco-friendly society with easy access to beautiful forest-covered terrain and over 95,000 lakes. Sweden is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise. The country also offers plenty of work prospects and is experiencing rapid economic expansion.
Swedish citizenship eligibility is governed by Swedish nationality law. Sweden's citizenship is based on the concept of jus sanguinis. In other words, citizenship is granted primarily by ancestry, regardless of birthplace.
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Swedish citizenship eligibility is governed by Swedish nationality law
According to the Citizenship Act, only some people in Sweden are automatically granted citizenship by ancestry. So, here are those who qualify:
It should be noted that beginning in July 1979, mothers could pass on Swedish citizenship via ancestry.
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The law has changed throughout time, and according to the most recent amendments, children born after April 1st, 2015, will automatically be given Swedish citizenship by ancestry, regardless of their place of birth, provided that one of the parents is a Swedish citizen. You can check more information about it with all the details on the Swedish Migration Agency’s website.
Except for a child born abroad before this date with a Swedish father and a foreign mother who is unmarried, the child will not be automatically recognized as a Swedish citizen.
On the other hand, people in this circumstance may get citizenship by notification, namely if the father submits a notice for Swedish citizenship. The main requirement for acquiring Swedish citizenship by descent is that the child is under the age of 18.
When applying for Swedish citizenship by ancestry, the following papers must be submitted:
The application fee is €150. ($160 USD).
Related article: The Basics Of How To Get A Second Passport Or A Second Residency
Foreigners may move to Sweden by applying for several types of visas
Sweden's citizenship regulations are among the most permissive in Europe, with no language requirements for new Swedes and just a five-year residence requirement to become a Swedish citizen.
Nonetheless, if you have been married or cohabiting with a Swedish spouse for at least two years, this may be reduced to three years; however, you will be needed to demonstrate that you have properly adapted to Swedish life (through learning the language, for example, but you could also prove this by showing you can support yourself or through the length of your marriage). A shorter procedure will also benefit other Nordic nationals.
Foreigners from all over the globe may move to Sweden by applying for several types of visas, which can be converted into residence permits and Swedish passports. To get citizenship, a person must reside in Sweden for a certain amount of time, which is normally determined by his or her current nationality.
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Only time spent in Sweden with a valid residence permit (for non-EU nationals) counts toward your residence
While short vacations abroad are permissible, spending more than six weeks overseas in any one year may cause your citizenship application to be delayed. Furthermore, only time spent in Sweden with a valid residence permit (for non-EU nationals) counts toward your residence; if you came without one and subsequently acquired one, the time spent without one is disregarded.
Swedish language skills are not currently required for citizenship, but there are possibilities it could change in the future: the Swedish Ministry of Justice and Migration proposed introducing an A2 language exam for would-be Swedes in January 2021, with exceptions for vulnerable people who have made a reasonable effort to learn the language. These proposals will go through a long political process before becoming legislation. For now, all you need to verify is your identification, duration of stay in Sweden, and the absence of severe criminal offences or debts.
Related content: Ireland Citizenship By Ancestry
To represent Sweden in sports, you must be a Swedish citizen
It's also worth noting that while qualifying for citizenship is simple, gaining Swedish citizenship is not. According to the Migration Agency, regardless of citizenship route, applicants will take an average of 39 months to become Swedish after completing their application.
Swedish citizenship entails specific privileges and responsibilities.
However, citizenship has minimal bearing on most other rights and duties, such as social insurance, the right to compulsory education, and taxation. This is usually determined by where you live and work.
You can have dual citizenship in Sweden
Dual citizenship is permitted in Sweden. You have dual citizenship if you are a citizen of more than one nation. If you get Swedish citizenship, you may keep your foreign citizenship if the other nation allows it. Similarly, if you are a Swedish citizen who becomes a citizen of another nation, you may retain your Swedish citizenship, provided the other country allows it.
Citizenship by ancestry is the simplest option to get a Swedish passport since it just needs to verify your genealogical links to Swedish people. Sweden is a destination where you can find an excellent quality of life full of natural beauty. If you intend to live in Sweden someday, there are several ways to apply for Swedish citizenship, and descent is just one of these ways. You can contact us If you need assistance in applying for Swedish citizenship by descent. We'll assist you in tracing your ancestors and submitting your application to the Migration Agency.
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Written by Mikkel Thorup
Mikkel Thorup is the world’s most sought-after expat consultant. He focuses on helping high-net-worth private clients to legally mitigate tax liabilities, obtain a second residency and citizenship, and assemble a portfolio of foreign investments including international real estate, timber plantations, agricultural land and other hard-money tangible assets. Mikkel is the Founder and CEO at Expat Money®, a private consulting firm started in 2017. He hosts the popular weekly podcast, the Expat Money Show, and wrote the definitive #1-Best Selling book Expat Secrets - How To Pay Zero Taxes, Live Overseas And Make Giant Piles Of Money, and his second book: Expats Guide On Moving To Mexico.
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