Immigration
Legal help with Swedish citizenship applications
Swedish citizenship rules include requirements related to residence, identity, financial self-sufficiency, knowledge, and personal conduct. Our lawyers help you assess whether you meet the requirements under Swedish law and prepare your application to the Swedish Migration Agency.
- Response within one business day
- Experienced lawyers
- Online, wherever you are
Requirements for Swedish citizenship
As a general rule, an adult applicant must have lived in Sweden for at least eight years. Shorter residence periods apply to certain groups, including Nordic citizens, stateless persons, people with refugee status, and applicants who live with a Swedish citizen.
To become a Swedish citizen, you will normally need to:
- establish your identity
- hold a permanent residence permit, right of residence, residence card, or residence status
- have lived in Sweden for the required period
- meet the financial self-sufficiency requirement
- have sufficient knowledge of the Swedish language and Swedish society
- have demonstrated, and be expected to continue demonstrating, good conduct
How your period of residence is calculated depends partly on the permits you have held and how much time you have spent outside Sweden. Exceptions to certain requirements may apply depending on your age and personal circumstances.
Applying to the Swedish Migration Agency
Your application must include the information and documents needed to assess your identity, period of residence, and the other requirements. An incomplete or inconsistent application may result in requests for additional information.
Our lawyers help you review your eligibility before you apply. We also examine your supporting documents and identify circumstances that may require an explanation, such as time spent abroad, previous identity information, debts, or criminal offenses.
If the processing time becomes lengthy, you may be able to submit a request for the agency to conclude your case. Because this request may only be submitted once, it is important to consider the timing carefully.
If your application is denied
The Swedish Migration Agency may deny an application if a requirement has not been met or the available documents do not sufficiently support the information provided. The decision should explain the reasons for the denial and how to appeal.
Our lawyers review the decision and assess the relevant legal and factual circumstances. When there are grounds for an appeal, we help you prepare it and gather additional supporting documentation.
How we can help you
The requirements vary depending on your background and personal circumstances. We help you throughout the process, from assessing your eligibility to handling a possible appeal.
Assessment of the requirements
We review your situation and assess how the rules on identity, residence, income, knowledge, and personal conduct affect your application.
Help with your application
We help you prepare the application and check that the relevant information, explanations, and supporting documents are included.
Additional information and processing
We help you respond to questions from the Swedish Migration Agency and determine which additional documents should be submitted.
Appealing a denial
If your application is denied, we review the decision and help you appeal when there are legal grounds to do so.
Get help with citizenship
Schedule a 15-minute meeting with a lawyer to review and discuss your situation.
If you need further assistance, we’ll explain your options, how we can assist you, and what it would cost. If you hire us for your case, the cost of the first 15 minutes will be deducted from your final bill.
Talk to a lawyer
15-minute legal consultation
A brief meeting for quick guidance. Get answers to your questions, understand your rights and options, and learn how to move forward.
Need more help? You can also schedule a longer meeting with a lawyer for assistance with a specific task or a more complex situation.
Concerned about the cost? In some cases, part of the cost may be covered by legal expenses insurance or legal aid. We also offer payment plans through Klarna. Learn more about costs and financing →
Get help from our lawyers
Meet with one of our lawyers when you need help with an application, additional documentation, a request to conclude your case, or an appeal.
Wazima M. Aga
Lawyer
Wazima is deeply committed to protecting individual rights and practices immigration law, administrative law, social welfare law, family law, and contract law. She speaks Swedish, English, Persian, and Dari.
Florita Telhaj
Lawyer
Florita specializes in migration law, business law, contract law, and employment law. In addition to Swedish and English, Florita is also fluent in Albanian and Greek.
Matilda Selander Persson
Lawyer
Matilda primarily works with employment law, business law, contract law, family law, and migration law. She speaks Swedish and English.
Aja Wadii
Lawyer
Aja specializes in migration law, family law, and criminal law. In addition to Swedish and English, Aja also speaks Arabic.
Nadja Hatem
Lawyer
Nadja works within family law – mainly custody disputes and international child abduction cases. She has also worked in criminal law. She speaks Swedish, English, and Arabic.
Anuta Sjunghamn
Lawyer
Anuta works in migration law – primarily handling asylum cases. She also assists with family law disputes and criminal cases. Anuta speaks Swedish, English and Persian.
Rebwar Fakhry
Consulting lawyer
Rebwar Fakhry has particular expertise in asylum law, work permits, and family reunification matters. He speaks Swedish, English, Kurdish, and Persian.
Adib Hosseini
Consulting lawyer
Adib specializes in migration law, business law, competition law, and EU regulations for businesses. He speaks English, Farsi, and Kurdish.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about citizenship
The general requirement for adults is eight years of residence. Shorter periods apply to certain groups. Time spent in Sweden does not automatically count toward the required period.
Yes. Unpaid taxes, fines, child support, and debts registered with the Swedish Enforcement Authority may affect your application. A waiting period may apply even after the debts have been paid.
Yes. The decision explains how to appeal and the applicable deadline. An appeal should address the reasons for the denial and include relevant supporting documents.
The rules that took effect on June 6, 2026, generally do not include transitional provisions. As a result, many applications submitted before that date are also assessed under the new requirements.
Let a lawyer contact you
Tell us briefly about your situation, and we’ll get back to you within one business day to schedule a video consultation.