Swedish citizenship gives the opportunity to permanently reside, work, receive social support in the country, which is among the top best in the world. In the rating of countries on the quality of the passport, Sweden takes 5th place out of 201. The selection takes into account the freedom of movement, human development index, GDP indicators, openness for living. Due to these aspects, the country is popular for immigration, and with the registration of citizenship on its territory you can have maximum rights and privileges. A Swedish passport is available by birth from a Swedish parent or on the basis of long-term residence in the country.

Migration legislation of Sweden

The Swedish Nationality Act is the main document that regulates the granting of status. It was adopted in this version in 2001 and has not been significantly amended since then. Sweden’s migration policy is in line with that applied in other EU countries: immigrants are required to live in the country long enough, demonstrate integration into society and adherence to the laws.

But there is something that distinguishes the Swedish legislation – migrants are not required to know the language in order to obtain citizenship. Since 2019, the country has been actively discussing this issue, many representatives of the authorities and experts talk about the need to introduce such a requirement. But so far it remains at the level of discussions, and immigrants can still become citizens without proof of knowledge of Swedish. For comfortable living in the country, the language will have to be mastered to some extent, but the absence of special examinations and checks when applying for citizenship is a significant advantage.

Who has the right to apply for Swedish citizenship

Swedish citizenship is available for:

• Swedish children, including adopted children;
• naturalized foreigners who have lived in the country long enough;
• spouses of Swedes;
• citizens of Northern Europe.

The largest list of requirements is set for those who undergo naturalization:

• age of majority;
• being able to prove identity;
• permanent residence in Sweden;
• residence in the country for at least 5 years;
• no criminal record, no misdemeanors, no debts.

Some conditions may be waived if you have grounds for simplified citizenship, for example, due to marriage.

As for the documents: online or in paper format, an application is filled out, where you specify all your personal data, marital status, employment information. To the application, you need to attach your passport and a receipt for payment of the state duty, and the rest of the data employees of the authorized body will themselves check the various systems.

Methods of obtaining Swedish citizenship

Swedish citizenship can be acquired at birth or by naturalization. The latter method may include a general procedure and a simplified one for certain categories of persons, for example, those with ties to the country and citizens. To choose the appropriate option, it is necessary to assess the requirements for each of them and relate them to your situation. Predominantly foreigners can only rely on naturalization. At the expense of marriage to a citizen or refugee status, the process of obtaining a passport can be slightly accelerated.

It is impossible to buy Swedish citizenship for investment – there is no such program in the country. Also, it will not be possible to grant a passport to a child by organizing a birth here. The right of soil does not apply in Sweden, and children born to foreigners can obtain citizenship only together with their parents, when they are naturalized, or separately when they reach adulthood.

Another option is to move to Sweden with a passport from another EU country – then you will have all rights at once and there is no need to apply for local citizenship.

Learn how to become an EU citizen in a year without residency, residence permit and other complicated conditions with minimal costs. Relocation Compass lawyers will explain the details and offer comprehensive solutions at your first consultation.

General naturalization

Naturalization is a way of obtaining citizenship where you live in a country for a long time, integrate into its environment, comply with local laws and eventually become a full member of society. Everything starts with coming to Sweden on a visa and applying for a residence permit, for which you need to choose the basis – it can be work, business, family reunification. The first permit you get for a period of one year, the next 5 years you must regularly renew the documents. After 5 years in Sweden, you can apply for permanent residence – this is a mandatory stage before obtaining citizenship. Once you become a permanent resident, you can apply for a Swedish passport immediately.

Make sure you meet all the requirements and take into account the rules for calculating the length of residence. The period of time to apply for citizenship starts when you receive your first residence permit, but the period spent on a residence permit for study, visit, Au Pair program is not counted. If you have minor children, they can automatically apply for citizenship with you. But the child must live with you in Sweden and have a residence permit, from the age of 12 years – personally give their consent, and from 15 years – do not have a criminal record, offenses.

Reduced naturalization

For some categories of applicants there is a simplified procedure for obtaining citizenship. In Sweden, the basic requirements remain the same, but the naturalization period is shortened. Swedish spouses can apply for citizenship after 3 years of residence in the country, provided that the duration of the marriage is 2 years or more. It is important that your partner has had Swedish citizenship for at least 2 years.

Stateless persons and refugees can apply for a passport after 4 years instead of 5 years of residence. Important: you must be granted refugee status and international protection, not temporary protection.

Repatriation

Repatriation implies the return to the country of those who for some reason found themselves abroad. Citizenship in such cases is usually granted in a simplified manner. In Sweden, the citizenship by roots program is aimed strictly at those who have already had a passport in the past and now want to restore it. The law defines three categories of applicants for a passport through repatriation and the corresponding conditions for them:

• Nordic nationals.
  This method is aimed at former Swedes who have eventually acquired citizenship of a neighboring country. In this case, you must live and be registered in Sweden and simply apply for restoration of citizenship, there are no other requirements.
• Citizens of other countries.
  If, after losing Swedish citizenship, you obtained a passport outside the Nordic region, separate conditions will apply. In such a case, you will have to prove your identity, absence of criminal record, no threats to national security, and a permanent residence permit. You must have lived in Sweden for 2 years before applying, and 10 years or more in total, including past citizenship.
• Those who lost their citizenship before July 1, 2001.
  Prior to this date, Sweden did not recognize multiple citizenship, so anyone who obtained a second passport abroad (on their own, through their parents or through military service) automatically lost their Swedish one. To regain Swedish citizenship on repatriation, you need to prove that you have no criminal record and no threats to national security.

For Nordic citizens

Citizens of Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland or Norway) can apply for a Swedish passport under a special procedure. There are 2 options:

• live in the country for 2 years and meet all standard naturalization requirements;
• spend 5 years in the country and prove the absence of criminal record.

The price of Swedish citizenship by naturalization also includes the costs of multi-year residence, registration/renewal of residence permit, payment of insurance. As a result, the expenses for 5+ years reach tens of thousands of euros.

These expenses can be avoided by applying for citizenship under a simplified procedure in another EU country. With an EU passport you will get the right to live in Sweden and all the privileges of local citizens.

Procedure for obtaining Swedish citizenship

1. Request a residence permit and travel to Sweden.
   You will need to choose a suitable reason to start naturalization in Sweden. For example, if you plan to leave for work, you will first need to find a job vacancy and sign a contract with the companies. The employer must apply on the spot, and once the application is processed, you fill out your part of the application electronically and choose a consulate for a personal visit with biometrics. If you need a visa to enter Sweden, the data for that visa is also taken, and once the application is approved, you can plan your trip. The residence permit card is issued upon arrival.
2. Obtaining a permanent residence.
   After 5 years of residence in Sweden, you can apply for a permanent residence permit. You will need to prove your identity and financial solvency. The application is submitted to the Swedish Migration Board and a fee of 1000 SEK/90 EUR is paid. The processing takes up to 8 months, after which you will receive a residence permit card and can apply for citizenship.
3. Registration of citizenship.
   You can apply for Swedish citizenship through an electronic service or by mail to the Migration Board. A fee is payable when making the request. There is no exact processing time, some applications can be processed up to 2 months and others up to 28 months. The decision will be sent to your address of registration in Sweden. After the application is approved, you will be invited to the municipality for a citizenship ceremony, which is held once a year.  You will then be considered a full citizen and can apply for a passport.

Denial and revocation of citizenship    

Swedish citizenship can be refused if:

• you do not meet all the requirements for your method;
• you have submitted an incomplete set of documents or made mistakes in filling in the data;
• you have violated the procedure for submitting documents and the rest of the procedure;
• you are suspected of being a threat to national security or public order.

Swedish children who were born abroad, have never lived in Sweden and have no ties to Sweden can lose their citizenship. Revocation of status for such a reason occurs when the child reaches the age of 22, but it is possible to retain the status if desired. There are no other reasons for revocation of citizenship in the law, but every citizen can renounce it at will. The only exception – a Swedish passport will not be canceled if you end up being a stateless person.

Benefits of Swedish citizenship

A Swedish passport gives you the maximum set of civil rights on the territory of Sweden. It is the highest status with which you will have access to all government services, privileges, protection abroad, with it you cannot be deported from the country or restricted in the time of stay. With Swedish citizenship you have the right to:

• reside in the country permanently, leaving and returning any number of times;
• to work officially without additional permits, with priority positions and the highest pay rates (the average salary in the country is 3800 EUR);
• to open and run a business in any form of activity without additional conditions and permits with support from the state (grants, financing);
• use quality medicine under state insurance;
• have access to banking services (opening accounts, applying for loans) at optimal rates;
• receive social support from the state, which is considered one of the most effective in the world;
• travel freely without visas to 174 countries of the world.

Since Sweden is a member of the EU, you will have the same rights to live, work and do business as in any other country of the union. If you wish, with a Swedish passport you can move to Germany, France, Italy and there have equal opportunities with local citizens. Everything works the same way in the opposite direction – with a passport of any other EU country in Sweden you will have the same rights as the Swedes themselves. If you dream of moving to Sweden but find it easier to get a passport anywhere in the EU, take advantage of it. And then settle in Swedish territory without any unnecessary formalities.

Dual citizenship in Sweden

Sweden allows dual (second) citizenship – if you apply for a Swedish passport in any way, you will not have to renounce your first citizenship.  You can have two citizenships at once and use them as you wish. But in such a case, your obligations as a citizen are not mutually substituted.

Feedback from those who have obtained a Swedish passport  

Feedback from those who have obtained Swedish citizenship confirms that the migration policy here is not easy. The path to a passport takes from 5 years, sometimes after submitting an application you have to wait up to 2 years for a decision. To leave and start naturalization, there are many reasons and programs, but often everything is based on language learning. Swedish is difficult to learn, but you still have to learn it to live in the country (it gives you great opportunities for work).

The country is comfortable to live in, you can feel the care for the population at all levels, and when you already have citizenship, there is an even greater sense of confidence and stability. It is realistic to get a Swedish passport, but it takes a long time and it is rarely possible to limit yourself to 5 years. Documents are important to update in time, do not miss anything, so as not to violate the rules of stay and not to nullify the term of naturalization. Reviews confirm how important is the help in obtaining Swedish citizenship. Immigrants recommend in such matters to consult with specialists, because any misunderstanding of the conditions, errors in the documents, failure to meet the deadlines threaten unpleasant consequences.

Assistance in obtaining a second citizenship

Obtaining a second citizenship is a complex and multi-step process in which there is no room for mistake. And when the procedure takes place abroad, there is a language barrier, a lack of understanding of local laws, there are always risks. To exclude any defects, it is important to work with specialists. Lawyers will take care of all formalities: collection of documents, records for visits, checking the progress of the case, clarifying details in the authorized bodies. You will not have to spend time and energy on such hassles and you can safely wait for the result.

Specialists will choose the best way of immigration. For example, you want to move to Sweden and it is logical that you immediately consider the programs available here. You understand that you will have to start a 5-year naturalization. When professionals take up the case, they can tell you that in Sweden you can live with the rights of a citizen and with a passport of another EU country, where it is realistic to get it simplified – without residence and in a period of up to 14 months. Of course, it is more advantageous to spend a few months to obtain EU citizenship in order to move to Sweden without additional conditions. Specialists are aware of all current programs. They know how to simplify immigration and accompany each stage.

Sign up for a consultation on obtaining EU citizenship in up to 14 months. Relocation Compass lawyers will explain the details, check whether you can participate in the simplified program and guide you through the procedure.