Sweden tightens migration and citizenship requirements

Sweden has significantly tightened its migration and citizenship policies, leading to a decline in new arrivals and growing frustration among current residents. New regulations that took effect on June 6 require a minimum of eight years of residency to apply for citizenship, an increase from the previous five-year requirement. Additionally, applicants must now meet minimum income thresholds and pass language and citizenship tests.

A notable point of contention is the retroactive application of these rules to existing applications. This has impacted individuals like software engineer Alireza Tavakol, who had planned to obtain citizenship and start a business under the previous framework.

Data indicates a sharp decrease in asylum seekers, with 6,737 applicants in 2025 compared to approximately 16,737 in 2022. While approximately 89,434 people immigrated to Sweden in 2025, the country is also seeing a trend of voluntary departures following denied asylum requests or non-extended residency statuses.