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Swedish nationality law
Swedish nationality law determines entitlement to Swedish citizenship. Citizenship of Sweden is based primarily on the principle of Jus sanguinis. In other words, citizenship is conferred primarily by birth to a Swedish parent, irrespective of place of birth.
In general, children born in Sweden to foreign parents do not acquire Swedish citizenship at birth, although if they remain resident in Sweden they may become Swedish later on.
Swedish law was significantly amended with effect from 1 July 2001 and from that date, dual citizenship is permitted without restriction.
A child acquires Swedish citizenship at birth if
the child's mother is a Swedish citizen (Swedish mothers have only been able to pass on their citizenship since 1 July 1979);
the child's father is a Swedish citizen and is married to the child's mother;
the child's father is a Swedish citizen, the child is born out of wedlock, and the child is born in Sweden;
A child who is born abroad and whose father is a Swedish citizen (not married to the child's mother, and the mother is not Swedish) will acquire Swedish citizenship when the parents get married, provided the child is aged under 18.
child who is aged under 12 and who has been adopted by a Swedish citizen automatically receives Swedish citizenship upon adoption if
the child has been adopted as the result of a decision taken in Sweden or in another Nordic Council country
the child has been adopted as the result of a decision taken abroad and approved in Sweden by the Swedish Intercountry Adoptions Authority
the adoption is valid under Swedish law.
The adoption must have been officially decided or approved after 30 June 1992.
A child aged 12 or more at the time of adoption may acquire Swedish citizenship by application.
Swedish citizenship can be acquired by naturalisation, also known as citizenship by application
A foreigner may be granted Swedish citizenship upon meeting certain requirements, including:
holding a permanent residence permit, unless a citizen of a Nordic Council country. For citizens of European Economic Area nations, limited residence permits for five years equate to a permanent residence permit.
5 years residence in Sweden.
A number of exemptions apply to the residence period:
the residence period is reduced to 4 years for recognised refugees and stateless persons.
citizens of other Nordic Council countries are only required to have two years residence in Sweden.
former Swedish citizens
those employed on Swedish ships
persons employed abroad by Swedish corporations
a person married to a Swedish citizen for at least 10 years, who does not live in his or her native country, and has 'strong ties' to Sweden
a person with previous long residence in Sweden
Upon winning a Nobel Prize all laureats are extended the opportunity to take up Swedish Citizenship.
Young persons resident in Sweden
Swedish citizenship may be acquired by notification by young persons who hold a permanent resident permit in the following cases:
aged under 18 and resident in Sweden for five years
aged 18 or 19, where the person has been resident in Sweden since turning 13.
Loss of Swedish citizenship
Although dual citizenship is permitted, a Swedish citizen who was born outside Sweden and is a citizen of another country will lose Swedish citizenship at age 22 unless he or she is granted approval to retain Swedish citizenship.
Approval will normally be granted if:
the person has a Swedish born parent; or
the person has lived in Sweden at any time; or
the person visits Sweden regularly.
In general, children born in Sweden to foreign parents do not acquire Swedish citizenship at birth, although if they remain resident in Sweden they may become Swedish later on.
Swedish law was significantly amended with effect from 1 July 2001 and from that date, dual citizenship is permitted without restriction.
A child acquires Swedish citizenship at birth if
the child's mother is a Swedish citizen (Swedish mothers have only been able to pass on their citizenship since 1 July 1979);
the child's father is a Swedish citizen and is married to the child's mother;
the child's father is a Swedish citizen, the child is born out of wedlock, and the child is born in Sweden;
A child who is born abroad and whose father is a Swedish citizen (not married to the child's mother, and the mother is not Swedish) will acquire Swedish citizenship when the parents get married, provided the child is aged under 18.
child who is aged under 12 and who has been adopted by a Swedish citizen automatically receives Swedish citizenship upon adoption if
the child has been adopted as the result of a decision taken in Sweden or in another Nordic Council country
the child has been adopted as the result of a decision taken abroad and approved in Sweden by the Swedish Intercountry Adoptions Authority
the adoption is valid under Swedish law.
The adoption must have been officially decided or approved after 30 June 1992.
A child aged 12 or more at the time of adoption may acquire Swedish citizenship by application.
Swedish citizenship can be acquired by naturalisation, also known as citizenship by application
A foreigner may be granted Swedish citizenship upon meeting certain requirements, including:
holding a permanent residence permit, unless a citizen of a Nordic Council country. For citizens of European Economic Area nations, limited residence permits for five years equate to a permanent residence permit.
5 years residence in Sweden.
A number of exemptions apply to the residence period:
the residence period is reduced to 4 years for recognised refugees and stateless persons.
citizens of other Nordic Council countries are only required to have two years residence in Sweden.
former Swedish citizens
those employed on Swedish ships
persons employed abroad by Swedish corporations
a person married to a Swedish citizen for at least 10 years, who does not live in his or her native country, and has 'strong ties' to Sweden
a person with previous long residence in Sweden
Upon winning a Nobel Prize all laureats are extended the opportunity to take up Swedish Citizenship.
Young persons resident in Sweden
Swedish citizenship may be acquired by notification by young persons who hold a permanent resident permit in the following cases:
aged under 18 and resident in Sweden for five years
aged 18 or 19, where the person has been resident in Sweden since turning 13.
Loss of Swedish citizenship
Although dual citizenship is permitted, a Swedish citizen who was born outside Sweden and is a citizen of another country will lose Swedish citizenship at age 22 unless he or she is granted approval to retain Swedish citizenship.
Approval will normally be granted if:
the person has a Swedish born parent; or
the person has lived in Sweden at any time; or
the person visits Sweden regularly.