What are the requirements for Swedish citizenship?

Passing the citizenship test is not enough on its own. The test only covers one of the requirements — the knowledge requirement. Migrationsverket carries out a combined assessment of all statutory requirements before citizenship can be granted.

The six requirements for adults

• Residence status: as a main rule, permanent residence permit, residence status, right of residence, or residence card — or Nordic citizenship.
• Identity: identity must normally be proven with an identity document, and you must attend in person at Migrationsverket.
• Habitual residence (hemvist): continuous residence in Sweden for the period that applies to your category, as a main rule eight years.
• Knowledge: sufficient knowledge of Swedish and of Swedish society, shown through merit or test.
• Self-support (försörjningskrav): your own, durable means of support at the applicable level, unless an exception applies.
• Conduct (levnadssätt): orderly and honest conduct. Crime, debts, security threats and certain affiliations can prevent citizenship.

Exceptions to permanent residence permits

The rules on permanent residence permits changed in the summer of 2026. Since 12 July 2026, certain people with a time-limited permit can apply without a permanent residence permit, if they have well-founded prospects of being granted a durable permit.

• Status as long-term resident in Sweden.
• Refugee, alternative protection status or subsidiary protection status.
• Permit granted due to particularly distressing circumstances.
• Permit granted due to certain lasting obstacles to enforcement.
• Family ties to a person with one of the permits above.

A person who has had habitual residence in Sweden for at least ten years and otherwise meets the requirements is not covered by the requirement of well-founded prospects. A valid residence permit is still required when the application is made.

The identity requirement

• Identity is normally proven with an original document with a photo, for example a passport or identity card from the home country, issued by a competent authority.
• Migrationsverket calls you in for identity verification in person and sends a letter with booking instructions.
• According to current information, appointments can be booked in Malmö, Gothenburg, Norrköping, Sundbyberg, Sundsvall and Boden.
• A family member who is a Swedish citizen can in special cases help to prove identity.
• If identity cannot be proven, an exception can in some cases be made for a person who has lived continuously in Sweden for at least ten years under the same credible identity.
• Time spent in Sweden under a false identity does not count towards habitual residence (hemvist).