The Swedish government has tasked an inquiry chair with submitting proposals for more stringent requirements for Swedish citizenship.

According to Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard, the aim is to increase the value of the Swedish citizenship: “Citizenship represents a formal membership of Swedish society and is very important, both legally and symbolically. By imposing more stringent requirements for acquiring citizenship, the value of it also increases. [...] The changes are also an important aspect of the government’s efforts to promote integration.” 

Among other proposals, the inquiry will review the possibility to require that non-citizens prove longer habitual residence in Sweden before being able to apply for Swedish citizenship. Now, to be eligible for nationality, applicants have to been residents for 5 years. This is one of the reasons why Sweden earned a high score (83 out of 100) on the Migration Integration Policy Index (MIPEX). 

The inquiry will also review possible higher requirements for knowledge of the Swedish society and culture in order to acquire citizenship, and may propose that applicants must be able to prove that they can support themselves financially. In addition, the inquiry has been charged with proposing more stringent requirement of an ‘honest lifestyle’ to acquire citizenship. Until, an oath of loyalty has not been necessary to conclude the process of acquiring citizenship.

The inquiry is required to submit its final report by 30 September 2024.

The terms of reference for the government inquiry are based on an agreement between the Sweden Democrats, the Moderate Party, the Christian Democrats and the Liberal Party.