Dreaming of becoming a Swedish citizen? You are not alone. Sweden is a place with high living standards, excellent health services, beautiful scenery, and liberal ideas, which makes it one of the most wanted places to go and settle in the world. But what can you do to bring that dream into reality?
I am Linnea Andersson, and I have experience with this whole process. Having lived there for several years, I got married and then went to Sweden, where I successfully obtained citizenship. Sweden offers various legal pathways to citizenship, and I am in a position to guide you through all of them straightforwardly and comprehensively.
In this comprehensive guide, I will show you all you need to know about how to become a citizen of Sweden, including the prerequisites, process, and tricks of the trade that have borne me through my testimony.
Methods to get Sweden Citizenship
Sweden’s Citizenship can be obtained in 5 ways. All these ways are provided below:
- By naturalization (residency)
- By birth or adoption
- By marriage or partnership
- By descent (ancestry)
- Citizenship by Notification
Citizenship by Naturalization (Residency)
Naturalization is one of the most widespread means to obtain Swedish citizenship, i.e., to apply for it after living in Sweden for a definite number of years legally.
Residency Requirements
To apply to become a citizen under immigration residency, you will be required to have spent a minimum of:
- Lived in Sweden continuously for at least 5 years.
- Refugees and stateless individuals: Eligible after 4 years.
- Nordic citizens (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway): Only 2 years.
- Married or cohabiting with a Swedish citizen: You are eligible within 3 years, as I was.
Requirements for Naturalization
I have gone through this firsthand, so here is what you need to have to make it.
Be at least 18 years old
The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) only takes up applications from lawful adults.
Hold a Permanent Residence Permit (PR)
You should have resided in Sweden with a valid PR card or such like. Temporary permits do not serve as a part of citizenship.
Clean Criminal Record
Sweden emphasizes good behavior a great deal. In case you have committed serious crimes, you can be denied citizenship or citizenship postponed.
Confirmed Identity
You will have to certify your identity by means of good official papers such as a passport or national ID. In the absence of this, you can be disqualified.
Demonstrate Good Conduct
The Migration Agency examines the extent to which you have assimilated into Swedish society. It helps to pay taxes, abide by the law, and avoid conflicts.
Citizenship by Birth or Adoption
In certain instances, Sweden also allows automatic citizenship to children.
Citizenship by Birth
In case at least one of your parents is Swedish, the birth and the fact that it occurred outside of Sweden do not count for anything; you are already a Swedish citizen.
Key Points
- It doesn’t matter if the mother or father is Swedish — one parent is enough.
- The place of birth (Sweden or other) does not affect whether or not you have a right to be a citizen.
Citizenship by Adoption
You can qualify in case you were adopted as a child by a citizen of Sweden.
Conditions
- It should have been adopted before the age of 12.
- It should be legally qualified under Swedish law.
- Citizenship happens automatically after an officer approves the request, and there is no need to go through a different adjustment of status process.
Citizenship by Marriage or Cohabitation
I have been through this route, and so I will describe it step by step. In case you are in a long-term relationship with a Swedish citizen, both married and cohabiting are on a faster track to citizenship.
Conditions to Qualify
3 Years Living in Sweden
You should have been in the Swedish countryside for three years continuously.
2 Years Together
Swedish spouses should have cohabited in Sweden for at least two years.
Stable Relationship
Sweden demands that the relationship must be steadfast, uninterrupted, and true. The short-term or fraudulent relationships would not be accepted.
Permanent Residence Permit
Similar to naturalization, you need to have a PR to qualify under this channel.
My Experience:
I got married in Spain and then together with my husband we relocated to Sweden. And 5 years later, after steady cohabiting, integration into Swedish life and going through my citizenship application, my citizenship was granted. This went on without any hassles; however, all documents were required to be valid and admissible by law. My parents were Swedish.
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Citizenship by Descent (Ancestry)
When you are Swedish-born with a non-Swedish birthplace, you may be a citizen according to descent.
Eligibility Rules
Swedish Parent
If you have one Swedish parent (either mother or father), you are automatically a citizen at birth.
Born Abroad
If you were born outside Sweden, and one of your parents is Swedish, you need to make an application to minimize losing your citizenship prior to the age of 22 years.
- You have lived in Sweden,
- You have been to Sweden regularly,
- You have close ties to Sweden
In case you fail to do so, your citizenship may expire when you reach 22.
Citizenship by Notification (Simplified Route)
Sweden offers a simplified route for specific groups of people through something called notification (anmälan). The procedure is not as stringent as naturalization and is by far faster.
Who Qualifies?
Children Under 18
The kids born in Sweden to foreign parents may be provided with citizenship through notification, particularly in case they have lived in Sweden for several years.
Nordic Citizens
Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, or Norway), you may use notification after only 2 years of residence in Sweden.
Former Swedish Citizens
In the event that you were a Swedish citizen in the past but abandoned the nationality, say for a passport of another country, there is a chance to reapply by way of notification.
Stateless Individuals
In case you were born in Sweden and you are stateless (i.e., you have neither citizenship nor citizenship of any of the countries), you may be notified.
Step-by-Step Application Process
And now I will show you the way you come, in fact, to apply for Swedish citizenship in real life.
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
The following are some of the things you might get:
- Passport or ID
- Residence permit card
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of cohabitation
- Birth certificates (for children or ancestry claims)
Step 2: Apply Online or by Post
Applications can be submitted:
- Through the web at the website of the Swedish Migration Agency. (https://www.migrationsverket.se/)
- Through the post, along with the Migration Service form.
Be sure that you complete everything legibly and honestly.
Step 3: Pay the Application Fee
Prices can change according to your group. On average, it costs about 1,500 SEK. The fees may be reduced or waived for children.
Step 4: Wait for a Decision
It may take several months and even more than a year to be processed. The Migration Agency can interview or contact you to get more information.
What Happens After Approval?
In case your position has accepted citizenship, the following is what you should anticipate:
- You receive a formal decision letter.
- You become a full citizen from the day of approval.
- You can apply for a Swedish passport immediately.
Can Citizenship Be Revoked?
No, after you get citizenship, you will never lose citizenship except in case of getting it by fraud.
In Sweden, you are allowed to have dual citizenship, so you cannot relinquish your original nationality in most circumstances.
FAQs
Can I hold dual citizenship in Sweden?
Yes. Sweden is a country that accords dual citizenship / multi-citizenship without any specific declaration.
How long does the citizenship process take?
This may be in 6 months up to 2 years, depending on the nature of your application and how complete your documents are.
Do I need to speak Swedish to get citizenship?
No, there is a possibility of a new language and civic test law being presented shortly.
Can I apply for my children too?
True, they can be either included in your application or apply through notification, when the children are under 18.
Read Also: How to Get Spanish Citizenship in 2025 (All Legal Paths)
Final Thoughts from Me
Attaining Swedish citizenship was, perhaps, the most fulfilling moment in my life. Being a person who began in Spain and completed the trip via marriage, I understand that the formalities and waiting can be exhausting. And yet-but-it is worth all the time.
Sweden provides stability, security, medical services, and unlimited opportunities to you and your family. Be it residency, marriage, descent, or elucidation, the main idea is to obey the rules, be patient, and precise in every document.
