“Swedish citizenship is a legal bond between you and Sweden. It reflects your connection to the country and gives you full rights and responsibilities as a member of Swedish society.”— Migrationsverket (Swedish Migration Agency)
After coming to Sweden as an international student, I fall in love with the country. The air is clean, the people are kind, and the internet is fast! I enjoy my fika breaks, the calm nature, and how easy life feel here.”
But after some time, I ask myself — can I stay here forever? That’s when I start learning how to become a Swedish citizen. If you’re also thinking about it, let me share my experience with you.
What’s the Difference Between Permanent Residency (PR) and Citizenship?
Living in Sweden as a permanent resident comes with many great benefits. Once you have a residence permit or permanent residency, you’re allowed to live, work, and study in Sweden. Here’s what you can enjoy:
- Free healthcare: As a resident, you get access to Sweden’s world-class public healthcare system with little or no cost.
- Free university education: You can attend university in Sweden without paying tuition fees if you’re from the EU or have permanent residency.
- Parental leave: If you have children, you’re entitled to generous parental leave—up to 480 days, which you can share with your partner.
- Five weeks of paid vacation: Swedish labor laws guarantee five full weeks of paid vacation every year, which gives you plenty of time to rest or travel.
But becoming a Swedish citizen gives you even more rights and freedoms. Once you’re a citizen, you’re officially part of the Swedish nation. That means:
- You can vote: Only Swedish citizens can vote in national elections and help shape the country’s future.
- You can join the police or army: Some government jobs, like being a police officer or serving in the military, are only open to citizens.
- You can get a Swedish passport: This is one of the world’s strongest passports. It allows you to travel to many countries without a visa.
- You can live and work freely in the EU: As an EU citizen through Sweden, you can move to and work in any EU country without extra paperwork.
Ways to Get Swedish Citizenship
There are a few ways to become a citizen. Let me explain each one simply.
1. By Family (Legitimization)
If one of your parents is Swedish, you can become a citizen by showing birth certificates and passports.
2. By Nordic Citizenship (Notification)
If you’re from Denmark, Finland, Norway, or Iceland, and you’ve lived in Sweden for 5 years, you may apply between age 18–20.
3. By Marriage
If you’re married to a Swedish citizen, you can apply after 10 years of marriage.
4. By Living in Sweden (Naturalization)
This is how I applied.
You need to:
- Have permanent residence in Sweden
- Live here for a certain number of years
- Be a law-abiding person
- Show that you want to stay in Sweden for good
You can check the exact time required on the Swedish Migration Agency’s website.
Step-by-Step: From Resident to Citizen
Becoming a Swedish citizen usually begins with obtaining permanent residency. This process involves several important steps to settle into life in Sweden legally and comfortably:
- Apply for a residency permit: This is the first step. Depending on the reason for moving—work, studies, family reunification, or asylum—a valid permit must be granted by the Swedish Migration Agency.
- Get a personnummer: Once a residency permit is approved and a move to Sweden is made, it’s important to register with the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket) to receive a personnummer. This personal identity number is essential for everything from healthcare to signing up for services.
- Find a job: Securing employment helps ensure financial stability and can support long-term residency or citizenship applications. Working legally also contributes to the Swedish social system through taxes.
- Rent a home: Having a registered address is a requirement for many legal processes. Renting an apartment or house makes it easier to establish a stable life.
- Open a bank account: A local Swedish bank account is necessary for receiving wages, paying rent, and handling daily expenses. A personnummer is usually required for this.
- Start learning Swedish: While not legally required in every case, learning the language is highly encouraged. It helps with integration, improves job opportunities, and may become a requirement for citizenship in the future.
Applying for Citizenship
After holding permanent residency for a certain number of years (usually five years, or three years if married to a Swedish citizen), it becomes possible to apply for Swedish citizenship. A clean legal record, stable finances, and long-term residence are important for approval.
Once approved, full rights as a Swedish citizen are granted—along with a Swedish passport and the ability to vote in national elections.
Can I Keep My Old Citizenship Too?
Yes, Sweden allows dual citizenship.
You can:
- Keep your old nationality
- Become Swedish at the same time
But make sure to check if your home country allows dual citizenship. Some don’t.
How to Apply for Swedish Citizenship
The application for Swedish citizenship can be completed online through the official Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) website. The process is straightforward, but a few important documents and steps are required.
How to Apply for Swedish Citizenship
The application for Swedish citizenship can be completed online through the official Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) website. The process is straightforward, but a few important documents and steps are required.
✅ What’s Needed to Apply:
- Valid passport or birth certificate:
Proof of identity is required. A valid national passport is usually the main document, but in some cases, a birth certificate may be needed—especially for those who can’t provide a passport. - Completed application form:
The application must be filled out using the official online form, which is available only in Swedish. It’s helpful to get assistance from someone who understands the language if needed. - Application fee:
A fee must be paid when submitting the form. As of now, the fee is typically around 1,500 SEK, but it’s best to check the latest amount on the Migration Agency’s website.
Once the application is submitted, the waiting time can vary depending on the case. The Migration Agency may request more information or documents during the process. After approval, a letter is sent confirming Swedish citizenship, and it then becomes possible to apply for a Swedish passport.
Citizenship Fees (as of now):
- Adults: SEK 1,500
- Children under 15: SEK 175
- Nordic citizens (18–21): SEK 175
- Others (reapplying or reclaiming citizenship): from SEK 175 to SEK 475
- No refund if rejected
Free Application for Some People
You don’t need to pay if:
- You’re stateless and a refugee
- You got a travel document from the Migration Agency
I used Wise to send the fee from my foreign bank. It saved me money.
Note: You don’t get your money back if your application is denied.
How to Apply for a Swedish Passport
Only Swedish citizens can get a Swedish passport.
After getting my citizenship certificate, I applied at the local police passport office. I brought my ID. They took my photo there.
- Fee: SEK 350
- You pay when applying
- The passport is ready in about 5 working days
Useful Tips Before You Apply
- Learn a bit of Swedish — it helps a lot
- Get to know Swedish banks and money system
- Open a bank account early
- Always check the latest rules on the Swedish Migration Agency website
Final Thoughts
Sweden gave me a safe and happy life. Becoming a Swedish citizen was one of the best decisions I ever made.
If you also want to stay here for the long term, I hope this guide helps you understand how to become a Swedish citizen easily and clearly.
Good luck on your journey!
And yes, enjoy your fika while you’re at it ☕🇸🇪
