2026-04-292025/26:SfU28 · p.1SfUMigration & social insurance
Tightened requirements for Swedish citizenship
What's at stake: The decision determines how long and demanding the path to Swedish citizenship becomes for everyone applying, with particular significance for people with weaker ties to the labour market and for children affected by requirements on proof of identity and residence. It therefore affects both the integration process and legal certainty for a large group of people already living in the country.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether Parliament should adopt the government's bill tightening the requirements for Swedish citizenship - including a longer residence period, a requirement of honest and orderly conduct, a self-support requirement, and requirements on knowledge of Swedish and Swedish society - or reject most of the proposal as damaging to integration and a threat to legal certainty and children's rights.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee shares the government's view that citizenship should be seen as the endpoint of an integration process built largely on a person's own efforts, and it backs the bill's longer residence period, requirement of honest and orderly conduct, self-support requirement, and requirements on knowledge of Swedish and Swedish society. The committee does not share the view of the motions' authors that the proposals worsen integration and increase inequality and exclusion, noting among other things that a longer residence period, according to the Security Service, gives better opportunities to detect security threats, and that support measures already exist for groups with weaker labour-market ties.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 1 (V, MP)
The reservation (V, MP) calls for rejecting most of the government's bill, arguing it makes the path to citizenship longer and harder rather than easier for people who already live, work, study and build their future in Sweden. The motions' authors argue the proposals risk reinforcing exclusion rather than reducing it, raise rule-of-law concerns, and in several respects conflict with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, including the requirements on proof of identity and residence applied to children.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: adopting the government's legislative proposal and rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 1 by V, MP.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/13/0/8 | follows the plan | confidence: high | derived |
| S | Yes | Yes 91/1/0/14 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| MP | No | No 0/15/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: high | derived |
| C | No | Yes 20/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| L | Yes | Yes 9/0/0/7 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| KD | Yes | Yes 16/0/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| M | Yes | Yes 57/0/0/9 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| SD | Yes | Yes 60/0/0/10 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
Broke with the party line
| SAnnika Strandhäll (S, Stockholms kommun) | No — party line: Yes |
MPs whose vote differs from their party's majority position in this division. Marked with a dark ring in the chamber view.
Committee proposal
Parliament adopts the government's proposal for 1. act amending the Citizenship Act (2001:82), 2. act amending the Citizenship Act (2001:82), 3. act amending the Citizenship Act (2001:82), 4. act amending the Act (2014:481) on amendment of the Citizenship Act (2001:82). Thus parliament grants proposition 2025/26:175 points 1-4 and rejects the motions 2025/26:3989 by Annika Hirvonen et al. (MP) demand 1 and 2025/26:3991 by Tony Haddou et al. (V) demands 1-9.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen antar regeringens förslag till 1. lag om ändring i lagen (2001:82) om svenskt medborgarskap, 2. lag om ändring i lagen (2001:82) om svenskt medborgarskap, 3. lag om ändring i lagen (2001:82) om svenskt medborgarskap, 4. lag om ändring i lagen (2014:481) om ändring i lagen (2001:82) om svenskt medborgarskap. Därmed bifaller riksdagen proposition 2025/26:175 punkterna 1-4 och avslår motionerna 2025/26:3989 av Annika Hirvonen m.fl. (MP) yrkande 1 och 2025/26:3991 av Tony Haddou m.fl. (V) yrkandena 1-9.
Riksdag decision: Parliament approved the government's proposal to tighten the requirements for obtaining Swedish citizenship. The proposal includes, among other things, that the requirement that one must have lived in Sweden for a certain period, that is to say, have had one's residence here, shall be raised from five to eight years as a starting point higher requirements are imposed on the way of life for those who wish to obtain Swedish citizenship a requirement for self-sufficiency is introduced when applying for citizenship a requirement for sufficient knowledge of Swedish and about Swedish society is introduced to obtain Swedish citizenship the notification procedure, that is, the possibility of becoming a Swedish citizen by notification, shall be limited as much as possible children shall be able to acquire Swedish citizenship independently after the child's guardian has made an application. The purpose of the proposal is to strengthen the status of citizenship and increase the individual's ability to actively participate in society. The legislative amendments enter into force on June 6, 2026. The legislative amendments concerning the citizenship test in reading and listening comprehension in Swedish at functional level enter into force on October 1, 2027 or on an earlier day determined by the government. The legislative amendments concerning the citizenship test in Swedish otherwise enter into force on a day determined by the government.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to preserve accessible paths to Swedish citizenship and protect children's rights in the citizenship process. (V, MP) — Reservation 1
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan establishes that integration is not improved by temporary and conditional residence permits but by a safe and permanent existence, and that Sweden has good conditions to let more people build good lives here.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that integration is not improved by temporary and conditional residence permits but by a safe and permanent existence, and that Sweden has good conditions to let more people build good lives here. Sharpened requirements on residence time, maintenance and way of life make the path to citizenship longer and more conditional, which is exactly what the plan rejects. The requirements as applied to children also meet the plan's demands for the child's best interests.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att integrationen inte förbättras av tillfälliga och villkorade tillstånd utan av en trygg och permanent tillvaro, och att Sverige har goda förutsättningar att låta fler bygga goda liv här. Skärpta krav på hemvisttid, försörjning och levnadssätt gör vägen till medborgarskap längre och mer villkorad, vilket är precis vad planen avvisar. Kraven som tillämpas på barn möter dessutom planens krav på barnets bästa.
- security gives integrationdecisive»Det är inte genom tidsbegränsade uppehållstillstånd som integrationen förbättras. Tvärtom, det är genom en trygg och permanent tillvaro i samhället som vi människor rotar oss.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“It is not through time-limited residence permits that integration improves. On the contrary, it is through a safe and permanent existence in society that we people put down roots.”
- open path to a life in Sweden»Sverige är ett land med goda förutsättningar att låta fler människor bygga goda liv här.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden is a country with good conditions to let more people build good lives here.”
- the child's best interests»principen att i varje läge se till barnets bästa« (party programme ↗)“the principle that in every situation ensure the child's best interests”
- against conditional belonging»Ett tryggt samhälle ställer inte människor mot varandra.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“A secure society does not set people against each other.”
The election manifesto explicitly wants to introduce language requirements for residence permits and demands on activity for maintenance support, and the party programme builds integration on both obligation and right with clear responsibility also for the individual.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto explicitly wants to introduce language requirements for residence permits and demands on activity for maintenance support, and the party programme builds integration on both obligation and right with clear responsibility also for the individual. The counter-proposal wants to reject the majority of the stricter citizenship demands, which goes against this line of demands and the established strict migration policy. The plan's goal of an inclusive citizenship does not outweigh this.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet vill ställa språkkrav för uppehållstillstånd och krav på aktivitet för försörjningsstöd, och partiprogrammet bygger integrationen på både plikt och rätt med tydligt ansvar också för individen. Motförslaget vill avslå merparten av de skärpta medborgarskapskraven, vilket går emot denna kravlinje och den fastslagna strama migrationspolitiken. Planens mål om ett inkluderande medborgarskap väger inte över.
- language requirements for residence permitsdecisive»Det bör även ställas språkkrav för att få permanent uppehållstillstånd.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Language requirements should also be set for permanent residence permits.”
- integration based on obligation and right»Integration byggd på både plikt och rätt, med tydligt ansvar också för individen« (party programme ↗)“Integration built on both obligation and right, with clear responsibility also for the individual”
- demands for own activity»För att ingen ska fastna i passivitet behöver det ställas krav på aktivitet för att få försörjningsstöd.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“So that no one becomes trapped in passivity there need to be demands on activity to receive maintenance support.”
- inclusive citizenship»Inkluderande och starkt medborgarskap som skapar känsla av tillhörighet.« (party programme ↗)“Inclusive and strong citizenship that creates a sense of belonging.”
The plan establishes that people should not be forced to live in constant uncertainty about whether they can settle in Sweden and that the security of being able to settle is a key to integration — the opposite of extending and conditioning the path to citizenship.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that people should not be forced to live in constant uncertainty about whether they can settle in Sweden and that the security of being able to settle is a key to integration — the opposite of extending and conditioning the path to citizenship. The Greens also demand legal certainty in migration processes and that the best interests of the child are always decisive, which the counter-proposal invokes against demands for proven identity and residence for children. The plan therefore supports the counter-proposal's demand for rejection.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att människor inte ska tvingas leva i ständig osäkerhet kring om de kan rota sig i Sverige och att tryggheten i att kunna rota sig är en nyckel till integration — motsatsen till att förlänga och villkora vägen till medborgarskap. Miljöpartiet kräver dessutom rättssäkerhet i migrationsprocesserna och att barnets bästa alltid är avgörande, vilket motförslaget åberopar mot kraven på styrkt identitet och hemvist för barn. Planen stöder därför motförslagets krav på avslag.
- security to settledecisive»Inte heller ska människor tvingas leva i ständig osäkerhet kring om de kan leva och rota sig i Sverige. Därför ska permanenta uppehållstillstånd vara huvudregel.« (party programme ↗)“Neither shall people be forced to live in constant uncertainty about whether they can live and settle in Sweden. Therefore, permanent residence permits shall be the main rule.”
- security promotes integration»Svenska språket är en nyckel för att bli en del av samhällsgemenskapen, och tryggheten i vetskapen om att du kan rota dig på en ny plats är en annan.« (party programme ↗)“The Swedish language is a key to becoming part of community membership, and the security of knowing you can settle in a new place is another.”
- best interests of the child decisive»Barnkonventionen är svensk lag och barnets bästa ska alltid vara avgörande när beslut fattas kring barn.« (party programme ↗)“The Convention on the Rights of the Child is Swedish law and the best interests of the child shall always be decisive when decisions are made about children.”
- legal certainty in migration processes»stärka rättssäkerheten i asylprocessen och stödet för hbtqi-flyktingar och andra sårbara grupper.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“strengthen legal certainty in the asylum process and support for LGBTQI refugees and other vulnerable groups.”
flags: citat_migrerat
The plan's underlying position on migration is openness: a generous and humane policy, and that it is not the borders but the labour market that shall be opened.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's underlying position on migration is openness: a generous and humane policy, and that it is not the borders but the labour market that shall be opened. The plan wishes more foreign-born people to quickly enter into language, work and society, and it defends the rule of law and individuals' rights against the state. A package that makes the path to citizenship longer, less certain and more unequal for those already living and working here therefore runs counter to the plan's line.
Original (Swedish)
Planens grundhållning i migrationsfrågan är öppenhet: en generös och human politik, och att det inte är gränserna utan arbetsmarknaden som ska öppnas. Planen vill att fler utrikes födda snabbt kommer in i språk, arbete och samhälle, och den försvarar rättsstaten och individens rättigheter gentemot staten. Ett paket som gör vägen till medborgarskap längre, osäkrare och mer ojämlik för dem som redan lever och arbetar här går därför emot planens linje.
- generous and humane migration policydecisive»Centerpartiet strävar efter öppna gränser, fri rörlighet samt en generös och human flykting- och invandringspolitik.« (party programme ↗)“The Centre Party strives for open borders, free movement and a generous and humane refugee and immigration policy.”
- open labour market, not closed borders»är inte gränserna som ska stängas, utan arbetsmarknaden som ska öppnas.« (party programme ↗)“it is not the borders that shall be closed, but the labour market that shall be opened.”
- quick path into society»Fler utrikes födda kvinnor måste få en chans att jobba, lära sig svenska och till fullo komma in i det svenska samhället.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“More foreign-born women must get a chance to work, learn Swedish and fully enter Swedish society.”
- rule of law against the state»Rättsstaten och individens rättigheter gentemot staten måste försvaras.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The rule of law and individuals' rights against the state must be defended.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan explicitly requires language tests, knowledge of the democratic society and conditions to support oneself as requirements for citizenship, and establishes that high demands shall be placed on those who wish to become Swedish.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly requires language tests, knowledge of the democratic society and conditions to support oneself as requirements for citizenship, and establishes that high demands shall be placed on those who wish to become Swedish. A rejection of most of the requirements package thus runs directly counter to the plan. The plan does, however, want to make it easier for children born in Sweden to become citizens, which lends support to the counter-proposal's child rights objection in a limited part.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver uttryckligen språktest, kunskap om det demokratiska samhället och förutsättningar att försörja sig som villkor för medborgarskap, och slår fast att höga krav ska ställas på den som vill bli svensk. Ett avslag på merparten av kravpaketet går därför rakt emot planen. Planen vill dock samtidigt göra det enklare för barn födda i Sverige att bli medborgare, vilket ger stöd åt motförslagets barnrättsinvändning i en avgränsad del.
- language and self-support requirementsdecisive»Nästa mandatperiod ska inte bara ett språktest äntligen komma på plats, utan också villkoret att du förstår hur det svenska demokratiska samhället fungerar och har förutsättningar att försörja dig.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Next term not only must a language test finally be in place, but also the requirement that you understand how Swedish democracy works and have the conditions to support yourself.”
- knowledge requirements for citizenship»Grundläggande svenskkunskaper och grundläggande kunskaper om det svenska samhället ska« (party programme ↗)“Basic Swedish language skills and basic knowledge of Swedish society shall”
- Swedish as key to integration»Svenska språket är nyckeln till Sverige.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Swedish language is the key to Sweden.”
- easier citizenship for children»Det måste bli enklare för barn som föds i Sverige att bli svenska medborgare.« (party programme ↗)“It must become easier for children born in Sweden to become Swedish citizens.”
The plan establishes that it should be required to show willingness to participate in society for citizenship to have the value it deserves, and that one who has permanently resided here for a longer time and shares our fundamental values can in principle become a citizen.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that it should be required to show willingness to participate in society for citizenship to have the value it deserves, and that one who has permanently resided here for a longer time and shares our fundamental values can in principle become a citizen. The election manifesto furthermore requires strict migration policy. Rejecting most of the stricter demands therefore contradicts the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att det bör ställas krav på vilja att ingå i samhällsgemenskapen för att medborgarskapet ska ha det värde det förtjänar, och att den som stadigvarande vistats här en längre tid och delar våra grundläggande värderingar i princip kan bli medborgare. Valmanifestet kräver dessutom en stram migrationspolitik. Att avslå merparten av de skärpta kraven strider därför mot planen.
- requirements for citizenshipdecisive»förtjänar bör det ställas krav på vilja att ingå i samhällsgemenskapen med de rättigheter och« (party programme ↗)“deserves there should be requirements for willingness to participate in the society with the rights and”
- residence and common values»Den som stadigvarande har vistats i Sverige en längre tid och delar våra gemensamma« (party programme ↗)“One who has permanently resided in Sweden for a longer time and shares our common”
- strict migration policy»Stram migrationspolitik krävs för att ta itu med integrationsproblem och utanförskap.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strict migration policy is required to address integration problems and exclusion.”
- work and language as integration keys»Jobb, kunskap i svenska språket och det civila samhället är viktiga nycklar till integration.« (party programme ↗)“Jobs, knowledge of the Swedish language and civil society are important keys to integration.”
The plan explicitly requires basic knowledge of Swedish and approved civic orientation for citizenship, and it describes citizenship as the last step on an integration journey with a high threshold.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly requires basic knowledge of Swedish and approved civic orientation for citizenship, and it describes citizenship as the last step on an integration journey with a high threshold. The counter-proposal wants to reject most of just these tightening and thus goes straight against the plan. The plan sees the requirements as a prerequisite for integration, not as an obstacle.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver uttryckligen grundläggande kunskaper i svenska och godkänd samhällsorientering för medborgarskap, och den beskriver medborgarskapet som sista steget på en integrationsresa med hög tröskel. Motförslaget vill avslå merparten av just dessa skärpningar och går därmed rakt emot planen. Planen ser kraven som en förutsättning för integration, inte som ett hinder.
- language requirements for citizenshipdecisive»Kräva grundläggande kunskaper i svenska för permanent uppehållstillstånd och medborgarskap« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Require basic knowledge of Swedish for permanent residence permit and citizenship”
- passing test for citizenship»Införa obligatorisk samhällsorientering med prov, där godkänt ska vara ett krav för medborgarskap« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Introduce mandatory civic orientation with a test, where passing shall be a requirement for citizenship”
- high threshold for citizenship»vara hög, men möjlig att ta sig över för alla som anstränger sig« (party programme ↗)“be high, but possible to overcome for everyone who makes an effort”
- clear knowledge requirements»Det ska finnas tydliga krav på nödvändiga kunskaper i det« (party programme ↗)“There shall be clear requirements for necessary knowledge in”
The plan explicitly demands tightened conditions for citizenship and that requirements for immigrants to integrate be tightened, with welfare rights emerging in line with language learning, work and finally citizenship.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly demands tightened conditions for citizenship and that requirements for immigrants to integrate be tightened, with welfare rights emerging in line with language learning, work and finally citizenship. The counter-proposal wants to reject most of this very package on the grounds that the path to citizenship becomes longer and more uncertain. The plan's commitment thereby directly contradicts the counter-proposal's demand.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver uttryckligen skärpta villkor för medborgarskap och att kraven på invandrare att integreras skärps, med rättigheter till välfärden som växer fram i takt med språkinlärning, arbete och slutligen medborgarskap. Motförslaget vill avslå merparten av just detta paket med hänvisning till att vägen till medborgarskap blir längre och osäkrare. Planens åtagande talar därmed direkt emot motförslagets krav.
- tightened citizenship conditionsdecisive»Skärpa villkoren för medborgarskap och höja tröskeln för att ta del av skattefinansierad välfärd« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Tighten conditions for citizenship and raise the threshold for access to tax-financed welfare”
- citizenship with strict conditions»Kraven på invandrare att integreras i den svenska kulturen och samhället ska skärpas och medborgarskapet ska knytas till strikta villkor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Requirements for immigrants to integrate into Swedish culture and society should be tightened and citizenship should be tied to strict conditions.”
- demand-based integration»Utforma en kravbaserad integrationspolitik som ger rättigheter till välfärden i takt med språkinlärning, arbete och slutligen medborgarskap« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Design a demand-based integration policy that grants welfare rights in line with language learning, work and finally citizenship”
- loyalty and language requirements»lojal med Sverige, respekterar svenska lagar och övriga samhällsregler, att man lärt sig« (party programme ↗)“loyal to Sweden, respect Swedish laws and other social rules, that one has learned”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:SfU28)
- Committee report full text (HD01SfU28)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:3987 — med anledning av prop. 2025/26:175 Skärpta krav för svenskt medborgarskap av Niels Paarup-Petersen m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2025/26:3989 — med anledning av prop. 2025/26:175 Skärpta krav för svenskt medborgarskap av Annika Hirvonen m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2025/26:3990 — med anledning av prop. 2025/26:175 Skärpta krav för svenskt medborgarskap av Ida Karkiainen m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:3991 — med anledning av prop. 2025/26:175 Skärpta krav för svenskt medborgarskap av Tony Haddou m.fl. (V)
- Proposition 2025/26:175 — Skärpta krav för svenskt medborgarskap
Source: The Swedish Parliament