Sweden has introduced stricter regulations for aspiring citizens, emphasizing integration into Swedish society and upholding core values.
Sweden has announced stricter requirements for migrants seeking citizenship, emphasizing the importance of upholding Swedish values and demonstrating 'honest living.' Migrants will now need to pass a Swedish language test and an exam on Swedish society and values. The minimum residency period for citizenship has also been increased from five to eight years.
Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell stated that 'Citizenship must be earned, not be handed out unconditionally,' aiming to foster a stronger sense of shared Swedish identity.The new policy will significantly impact migrants with criminal records or unpaid debts, making it more challenging for them to obtain Swedish nationality. Forssell stressed the significance of upholding core Swedish values, stating, 'Family is important but it does not stand above the law. There is equality between the sexes. You can marry whoever you want. Girls and boys have the right to swim and play football. If you don't accept that, Sweden is not the country for you.'The human rights organization Civil Rights Defenders has voiced concerns about Sweden's new policy. John Stauffer, the head of the organization, argued that stricter citizenship requirements do not necessarily encourage integration but can lead to the exclusion of long-term residents who lack basic citizenship rights. Forssell acknowledged the recent influx of migrants, particularly since the 2015 migrant crisis, stating that Sweden granted 6,250 asylum-related residence permits in 2024. He cited the pressure on essential services as a consequence of this influx.The Migration Agency reported that 9,645 people applied for asylum in Sweden in 2024, a 42% decrease compared to 2022. During the 2015 migrant crisis, Sweden welcomed 163,000 asylum seekers, the highest per capita number in the EU
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