Sweden has announced plans to tighten its citizenship requirements, including raising the income threshold for applicants as part of a broader overhaul of its naturalisation rules.
As reported by Economic Times and sighted by PUNCH Online on Thursday, under the proposed changes, people seeking Swedish citizenship would be required to have lived in the country for at least eight years, up from the current five-year requirement.
In addition, applicants would need to demonstrate a stable monthly income of more than 20,000 Swedish crowns (about $2,225).
“These requirements are much tougher than the situation as it is today because currently there are basically no requirements (to become a citizen).
“Anyone with a criminal record, either in Sweden or abroad, will have to wait longer before they can apply.
“Someone who had served a four-year prison sentence, for example, would have to wait 15 years before being able to apply for citizenship,” Migration Minister Johan Forssell said.
The government also said candidates would have to pass a language and culture test designed to assess their knowledge of Swedish society and their ability to communicate in the national language.
Officials say the measures are intended to strengthen integration and ensure that new citizens are financially self-sufficient and familiar with Sweden’s social and civic norms.
Supporters argue that stricter standards will promote long-term stability and shared values.
Critics, however, warn that the tougher requirements could make it harder for immigrants to fully integrate and may disproportionately affect lower-income workers and families.
The proposals are expected to be debated in parliament before any changes take effect.
