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. If you are wondering how to get Swedish citizenship and how it works, be aware that Swedish citizenship is based on the concept of jus sanguinis, meaning citizenship is granted primarily by ancestry, regardless of birthplace.
Swedish citizenship eligibility is governed by Swedish nationality law
According to the Citizenship Act, only some people in Sweden are automatically granted citizenship by descent or 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 descent or 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 or ancestry is that the child is under the age of 18.
When applying for Swedish citizenship by descent, the following papers must be submitted:
Check here for more information about the fees.
Foreigners may move to Sweden by applying for several types of visas
The process of obtaining Swedish citizenship in any other way typically involves meeting certain residency requirements, demonstrating basic proficiency in the Swedish language, and showing good conduct.
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 to obtain citizenship, although this may change in the future. At present, the introduction of Swedish language tests has been delayed and is not expected before the fall of 2027, while the first social studies tests may be introduced as early as August. These proposals must still go through a lengthy political process before they can become law. In addition, applicants must verify their identity, have lived in Sweden for at least five years, and be able to support themselves and their family.
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 the citizenship route, applicants will take an average of 4 years 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.
Obtaining a passport through ancestry can be an excellent opportunity, especially if it does not require you to renounce your primary citizenship. In addition to expanding your international mobility, it can offer greater security, flexibility, and access to new opportunities for you and your family.
It is also important to remember that citizenship by descent is not the only available path. Today, there are many ways to obtain a second passport or foreign residency, and many of them can be just as advantageous depending on your personal circumstances and long-term goals.
If you would like to learn more about the most attractive options available today, download our free special report, Plan-B Residencies & Instant Citizenships.