Sweden Announces Special Citizenship Rule for Foreigners under 21

• Sweden's Migration Agency raised the minimum residency period required to apply for citizenship, with a different rule applying to younger applicants
• Legit.ng learnt that the new requirement took effect on June 6, 2026, and marks a significant increase from the previous threshold
• Adults and applicants under 21 years of age face different residency thresholds under the updated Swedish citizenship rules

Sweden has introduced a special citizenship residency rule for young foreigners under the age of 21, as part of broader changes to its naturalisation requirements that came into force on June 6, 2026.

The Swedish Migration Agency announced that adult applicants must now have lived in Sweden for at least eight years before they can qualify for citizenship under the habitual residence requirement.

This is a significant jump from the previous five-year threshold that had been in place.

However, applicants who are younger than 21 years of age benefit from a shorter requirement. They must have lived in Sweden for at least seven years, one year less than the standard adult threshold.

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Sweden citizenship: What the new rules cover

The agency confirmed that the updated conditions apply to adult applicants as a general rule, while separate provisions govern applications from children.

The changes form part of a wider effort by the Swedish government to tighten the criteria for obtaining citizenship, reflecting a shift in the country's migration and integration policy.

The residency requirement refers specifically to habitual residence, meaning applicants must demonstrate that Sweden has been their primary place of living for the required number of years, not simply that they hold a valid permit or have visited frequently.

Sweden citizenship: Who is affected

For most foreigners living in Sweden, the new eight-year rule means the path to citizenship is now noticeably longer than before.

Those who began their residency in Sweden expecting to apply under the old five-year rule may need to wait considerably longer than they originally planned.

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Finland mentions how many years foreigners must live in country before getting citizenship

The reduced threshold of seven years for applicants under 21 offers some relief to younger residents, acknowledging that children and young adults who grow up in Sweden often have deeper ties to the country despite shorter overall residency periods.

In a related story, Legit.ng reported that Sweden had listed five categories of foreigners who can get citizenship without employment.

Sweden changes citizenship requirements

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that Sweden had introduced four major rules as it changed its citizenship requirements.

The Swedish Migration Agency confirmed that the new rules apply immediately, with no transitional period.

This means every pending application that had not been decided before June 6 is also being assessed under the stricter framework.

Source: Legit.ng