Staying for good – long-term residence and Swedish citizenship under the new 2026 rules
Last updated 25 September 2026Rules checked every MondayOfficial sourcesSources & methodology →
Since 6 June 2026, the main rule for becoming a Swedish citizen is eight years of residence, not five – plus a minimum income and proof of Swedish and civics. Since 12 July, permanent residence permits are as a rule no longer granted. Here is what that means if you want to stay.
The path used to look simple: a few years on a permit, a permanent residence permit, then citizenship. In 2026 Sweden rewrote almost every step, and two dates matter most: 6 June, when stricter citizenship rules came into force, and 12 July, when a change to utlänningslagen (the Aliens Act) meant permanent residence permits are, as a main rule, no longer granted. Here is where that leaves you.
What changed in 2026
| Date | Change | Status |
|---|---|---|
| April 2026 | Simpler renewal of permanent residence permit cards | In force |
| 6 June 2026 | Stricter citizenship rules: longer residence, income, Swedish and civics | In force, no transitional rules |
| 12 July 2026 | Permanent residence permits no longer granted as a main rule (Prop. 2025/26:262, SFS 2026:1151) | In force |
| 12 July 2026 | Long-term residents get a five-year permit, not a permanent one | In force |
| 13 July 2026 | Stricter conduct (vandel) rules for residence permits | In force |
| August 2026 | Citizenship test on Swedish society | Offered from August; first held as a trial test in Stockholm |
| Autumn 2027 at the earliest | Citizenship test in Swedish | Planned |
Source: Migrationsverket, Sveriges riksdag and Universitets- och högskolerådet (UHR), read 22 September 2026.
The citizenship rules apply to every application decided after 6 June 2026, even one submitted earlier, according to Migrationsverket (the Swedish Migration Agency). Still waiting on an old application? Measure yourself against the new rules.
Permanent residence after 12 July 2026
The reform removes permanent uppehållstillstånd (permanent residence permit) for, among others, people in need of protection and people with long-term resident status, and their family members, according to the Riksdag committee report 2025/26:SfU30. The committee's stated aim is to match the EU minimum level and reduce asylum-related immigration in order to improve integration.
Already hold a permanent permit? The card still expires. Since April 2026 Migrationsverket automatically sends a prompt to book renewal via Min sida (My page) well before your card runs out.
On a work permit? From 11 June 2026, the qualifying period for a permanent permit for researchers, doctoral students and EU Blue Card holders was cut to three years of continuous permits, against four years of permits within seven for other work permits (part 2). The 12 July reform followed a month later, so ask Migrationsverket what your permit type leads to now.
Long-term resident status: the new anchor
Ställning som varaktigt bosatt (long-term resident status) now matters more. It requires, among other things, five years of uninterrupted residence and the means to support yourself and your family.
| Long-term resident status | What applies |
|---|---|
| Basic requirements | At least five years of continuous residence in Sweden, and the means to support yourself and your family |
| Permit if granted after 12 July 2026 | A residence permit valid for five years, instead of a permanent one |
| A permanent permit later | Not possible – neither as a long-term resident nor on any other ground |
| Route to citizenship | You can apply without a permanent permit if you have well-founded prospects of a lasting permit – or, with at least ten years' residence, without that condition. The exception also covers refugees, among others |
Source: Migrationsverket, read 22 September 2026.
EU, EEA and Nordic citizens
EU and EEA citizens follow a separate track. After five years of continuous uppehållsrätt (right of residence), you have permanent uppehållsrätt (permanent right of residence); a certificate from Migrationsverket is free, and 75 per cent of recent cases were decided within three months. It ends if, among other things, you spend more than two years in a row outside Sweden. Nordic citizens need no permit and register with Skatteverket (the Swedish Tax Agency) if staying at least a year.
Citizenship: the requirements since 6 June 2026
The main rule is now at least eight years of continuous hemvist (residence) in Sweden. Some groups have shorter periods.
| Your situation | Residence required now | Before 6 June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Main rule | 8 years | 5 years |
| Married, registered partner or cohabiting with a Swedish citizen | 7 years, living together for the last 5 | 3 years |
| Refugee status declaration | 7 years | 4 years |
| Stateless | 5 years | 4 years |
Source: Migrationsverket, read 22 September 2026.
Nordic citizens can apply after two years, or become citizens through the simpler anmälan (notification) after five.
Anna, an invented example, moved here with her Swedish partner. Under the old rules the requirement was three years. Now she needs seven, and the couple must have lived together for the last five.
Income, language and conduct
Self-support comes first. If you are 18–67, your annual salary or business income must be at least three inkomstbasbelopp (income base amounts) before tax – 250,200 kronor for 2026, or at least 20,850 kronor a month. Receiving försörjningsstöd (social assistance) for more than six months within three years normally disqualifies you, while some groups, such as pensioners and people with a lasting disability, can be exempt.
Then knowledge. If you are 16–66, you must show Swedish at level B1 in reading and listening and A2 in speaking and writing, plus knowledge of Swedish society. School grades, komvux, folk high school or a pass in sfi course D can prove it (part 11 covers sfi, limited to three years from 1 January 2026). Otherwise the route is the citizenship test, run by Universitets- och högskolerådet, UHR (the Swedish Council for Higher Education); Migrationsverket decides who is called. The Swedish-language part is not expected before autumn 2027.
Finally, conduct. Migrationsverket requests information from Kronofogden (the enforcement authority), the police and Säkerhetspolisen (the security service) to check for debts and crimes, and checks the Schengen Information System (SIS). A prison sentence triggers a karenstid (waiting period).
| Prison sentence | Minimum waiting period before citizenship |
|---|---|
| 1 month | At least 7 years after the offence |
| 1 year | At least 10 years after the offence |
Source: Migrationsverket, read 22 September 2026.
Children now need an application of their own, signed by their guardians, instead of being included in a parent's.
Fees, waiting times and the ceremony
| Adult application | Nordic notification | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee (2026) | 2,900 kronor – not refunded if you are refused | 475 kronor |
| 75 % of recent cases decided within | 53 months | 5 months |
Source: Migrationsverket, read 22 September 2026.
Plan around the waiting time, not the fee. Sweden has allowed dual and multiple citizenship since the Citizenship Act (2001:82) came into force on 1 July 2001 – check what your other country requires. Every municipality holds a citizenship ceremony once a year; the format varies and taking part is voluntary. Nor must you get a Swedish passport or national ID card.
Voting, leaving and coming back
| You are | Municipal and regional elections | Riksdag elections |
|---|---|---|
| A citizen of an EU country, Iceland or Norway | Yes, if you are folkbokförd (registered) in the municipality and region | No |
| A citizen of another country, or stateless | Yes, after at least 3 years in a row registered in Sweden before election day | No |
Source: Valmyndigheten, read 22 September 2026.
For the Riksdag you must be a Swedish citizen, 18 by election day and registered in Sweden now or earlier, according to Valmyndigheten (the election authority). The population register 30 days before election day decides your vote, so keep your address current with Skatteverket (part 3).
A personnummer never changes: you keep it for life, even if you move abroad and return, according to Skatteverket. Swedish citizens who move back to stay at least a year must in most cases register again – notifying Skatteverket and visiting a service office in person.
What to do now
| Step | What | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Count your continuous residence against the table above – eight years is the main rule | Now |
| 2 | Check your annual income against three income base amounts (250,200 kronor in 2026) | Before you apply |
| 3 | Gather proof of Swedish and civics, such as sfi course D | Before you apply |
| 4 | Clear any debts registered with Kronofogden | Before you apply |
| 5 | Apply and pay 2,900 kronor (Nordic notification: 475 kronor) | When you meet every requirement |
| 6 | Holding a permanent card? Book renewal when Migrationsverket's reminder arrives | Before the card expires |
| 7 | Ask Migrationsverket: 0771-235 235, from abroad +46 771 235 235, Monday–Friday 09.00–15.00 | Whenever you are unsure |
Source: Migrationsverket, read 22 September 2026.
Official sources
The official pages this guide is based on, read 22 September 2026. Links open the authority’s own website.
- Migrationsverket – Nyhet 2026-07-12 · migrationsverket.se
- Riksdagen – Betänkande 2025/26:SfU30 · data.riksdagen.se
- Migrationsverket – Ansök om varaktigt bosatt i Sverige · migrationsverket.se
- Riksdagen – Betänkande 2025/26:SfU28 · data.riksdagen.se
- Migrationsverket – Medborgarskap för vuxna · migrationsverket.se
- Migrationsverket – Medborgarskap för nordiska medborgare · migrationsverket.se
- lagen.nu – SFS 2001:82 / Migrationsverket · lagen.nu
- Migrationsverket – Redovisning: Uppdrag information om medborgarskapsceremonier (2026-04-08) · migrationsverket.se
- Valmyndigheten – Rösträtten i svenska val · val.se
- Skatteverket – Personnummer · skatteverket.se
- Skatteverket – Du är svensk medborgare (Flytta till Sverige) · skatteverket.se
- Migrationsverket – Ansök om permanent uppehållstillstånd · migrationsverket.se
Relocate in Europe provides general information, not legal or financial advice for your individual situation. Check with the authority named above before you act – rules change, and your case may differ.