The Swedish government recently proposed legal amendments that would impose stricter Swedish citizenship by notification requirements and enhance protection for vulnerable groups seeking Swedish nationality.
The reforms, which could enter into force on October 1st, 2024, aim to prevent serious criminals and security threats from easily obtaining citizenship while also safeguarding victims of honor-based oppression.
New Eligibility Criteria to Curb Security Risks
In the proposed Swedish citizenship acquisition reforms, the requirements for acquiring nationality by notification would be tightened to match those of naturalization applications.
As Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard stated:
“Citizenship has great importance and will no longer be casually granted to those who have committed or are suspected of committing serious crimes.”
Whereas candidates currently have an unconditional right to citizenship through notification after meeting relatively relaxed criteria, the amended law would empower authorities to deny or revoke this right from individuals suspected or convicted of crimes that endanger Sweden’s security.
The aim is to prevent dangerous persons from taking advantage of the notification route’s low eligibility bar to gain the rights and protections associated with Swedish nationality.
The reforms would also apply to individuals with proven connections to groups and organizations considered national security threats.
Enhanced Safeguards for Victims of Oppression
In addition to limiting citizenship acquisition by criminals and militants, the proposed legal changes would make it harder to forcibly strip Swedish nationality from vulnerable groups.
As Minister Stenergard explained:
“We are introducing enhanced protection against being stripped of Swedish citizenship. Nobody should, for example due to oppression of honour, be forced to renounce their Swedish citizenship with the aim of being taken out of the country.”
This measure aims to curb honor-based oppression against women, minors, and other vulnerable people by preventing abusers from coercing victims into giving up their citizenship.
The goal is to let such persons retain their Swedish nationality so they can continue accessing rights and protections guaranteed to citizens.
Tighter Citizenship Policies Align with Hardline Immigration Stance
The push to impose stricter regulations for acquiring and retaining Swedish citizenship aligns with the government’s increasingly hardline immigration policy agenda.
Last November 2023, Sweden introduced measures to tighten rules for family immigration and scaled back humanitarian residence permits to combat exclusion rates.
As Minister Stenergard noted then, the reforms aimed to reverse the spike in people getting Swedish residence through family links and compassionate grounds.
By further restricting citizenship acquisition and revocation, the authorities likely seek to limit rights and entitlements granted to foreigners obtaining permanent residence in Sweden through these and other channels.
Citizenship Reform Details
The proposed amendments would bar individuals suspected on reasonable grounds or convicted of a range of offenses from acquiring Swedish nationality through notification.
These offenses include crimes under the Penal Code, narcotics offenses, social welfare fraud exceeding a year in prison, and tax evasion sentences above two years.
Persons deemed national security threats or having connections to terror groups and organizations banned by the European Union (EU) would also be denied citizenship rights.
On the protection front, the reforms would curb provisions allowing Swedish citizenship renunciation if it leaves individuals stateless. This aims to prevent coercion or force being used to strip vulnerable victims of their nationality against their will.
Changes Would Impact Travelers to Sweden
The upcoming Swedish citizenship acquisition reforms could have implications for third-country nationals traveling or seeking residency in Sweden.
Once the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) launches in May 2025, EU visitors may face additional background checks if Swedish immigration officers perceive the reforms as grounds to increase scrutiny of travelers.
As the government continues tightening immigration policies, Schengen Visa holders may face more background scrutiny when entering or applying for long-term stay.
Moreover, citizenship and permanent residence applicants could undergo more extensive security and crime checks before being naturalized or registered as Swedish nationals.
The reforms may also impact family members of Swedish citizens or permanent residents.
Stricter naturalization criteria would make it harder for relatives abroad to gain Swedish nationality through reunification channels.
Final Thoughts on Sweden's Stricter Citizenship Rules
Sweden’s proposed citizenship acquisition reforms aim to balance public safety and vulnerable group protections when granting nationality rights.
However, the measures form part of a broader policy shift to stringent immigration curbs that could have implications across the board.
As the amendments undergo legislative review before their scheduled October 2024 enactment, the heightened eligibility barriers and background checks will likely attract both praise and criticism from different quarters. Their real-world impact remains to be seen.