Becoming a Swedish citizen comes with certain rights, but before you can apply for Swedish citizenship, you need to make sure you meet some requirements. The rules vary depending on your background, but there are a few basic conditions that apply to most people.
Basic requirements you need to meet
To apply for Swedish citizenship, you typically must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Have lived in Sweden for a certain period—usually five years, but three years may be enough if you’re living with a Swedish partner.
- Have a permanent residence permit (or right of residence if you’re an EU citizen).
- Have lived a responsible life in Sweden—for example, not committed any crimes.
- Be able to prove your identity with a passport or another accepted document.
The time you’ve lived in Sweden must generally be continuous. Temporary trips abroad usually don’t affect the requirement, but longer stays might cause your qualifying period to reset.
How to prepare your application
Before submitting your citizenship application, it’s important to go through a few things. A common mistake is assuming that living in Sweden for the required number of years is enough—but if, for instance, you’ve recently received a fine or can’t verify your identity, it can affect the decision.
Things to check before you apply for Swedish citizenship
- Make sure your passport is valid and that you have a copy to attach.
- Double-check how long you’ve been registered in Sweden.
- Check whether you have any criminal records. Even minor offenses like traffic violations can delay your citizenship application.
- Make sure all previous decisions from the Swedish Migration Agency are clear and accessible.
- If you’ve changed your name, make sure all your documents match.
It’s also important not to leave out any information. The Swedish Migration Agency carefully reviews all details and documents, and an unclear application can take longer to process—or in the worst case, be rejected. To make sure your citizenship application is complete, it can be helpful to book 15–30 minutes with a lawyer who can review it before you submit.
Things to keep in mind before submitting your application for Swedish citizenship
The easiest way to apply for Swedish citizenship is online via the Swedish Migration Agency’s e-service. You can also send in a paper application, but that will naturally take more time. Be sure to pay the application fee at the same time—otherwise, the processing won’t start.
Being thorough in advance makes the whole process smoother. Many applications are rejected due to simple mistakes or misunderstandings. By double-checking all the requirements and preparing your application properly, you reduce the risk of problems down the line.
Do you need legal help?
We have several lawyers who can help you in this area. Book an appointment with one of them in the Kliently app, or contact us to hire one of the lawyers. We recommend: Anastasia Martin,
Aja Wadii,
Anuta Sjunghamn
