Sweden intends to require applicants to wait eight years before applying for citizenship, along with income thresholds and a community understanding test, as announced by the center-right government.
The Swedish government has announced plans to intensify the criteria for obtaining citizenship, making it necessary for applicants to wait eight years before they can submit their applications. The new requirements include a minimum income threshold and a test to assess applicants' understanding of Swedish society. Minister of Migration Johan Forssell stated that these measures are considerably stricter than the current situation, where no specific conditions for citizenship are in place.
As it stands, applicants will now need to have resided in Sweden for a minimum of eight years instead of the previous five years, and they must earn over 20,000 Swedish kronor (approximately $2,225) monthly. Additionally, they will be required to pass a language and culture test to demonstrate their knowledge of Sweden. Forssell emphasized the importance of relevant knowledge for citizenship, suggesting that understanding the nature of the Swedish state is reasonable for those seeking citizenship.
These changes are expected to come into effect on June 6, and they follow the government's recent decision to tighten rules for asylum seekers as well. The minority coalition government hopes that a more restrictive approach to immigration will resonate with voters ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for September.
