The Swedish government has announced plans to impose stricter requirements for obtaining citizenship, which, if approved by Parliament, are expected to take effect from June 6. According to AFP, the proposed changes will extend the minimum residence requirement for applicants from five to eight years. Applicants will also need to meet a minimum income threshold and pass a test assessing their knowledge of Swedish society.
Since 2015, every Swedish government in power has implemented increasingly stringent immigration policies, following a year when nearly 160,000 asylum seekers arrived in the country. The current minority coalition government believes that adopting a tougher stance on immigration will resonate with voters ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for September.
Immigration Minister Johan Forsell told journalists, “These conditions are much stricter compared to the current situation, where there are practically no requirements for obtaining citizenship.” Under the new rules, applicants must have lived in Sweden for eight years, earn a monthly income of at least 20,000 Swedish kronor, and successfully complete a language and culture test.
Forsell emphasized the importance of understanding Sweden’s governance, stating, “If you want to become a citizen, it is reasonable to know whether Sweden is a monarchy or a republic.”
The new rules will also extend waiting periods for applicants with criminal records in Sweden or abroad. For instance, individuals who have served a four-year prison sentence must wait 15 years before applying for citizenship.
The anti-immigration Sweden Democrats have criticized decades of failed immigration policies, citing a rise in gang-related crimes. Last week, the government also announced plans to tighten rules for asylum seekers, signaling a broader effort to regulate migration more strictly.