Sweden has passed a new legislation increasing barriers to citizenship, effective from June 6, 2026.

New requirements include a longer residency period (from five to eight years), higher income thresholds, and mandatory language and civic knowledge tests.

The tightening of its citizenship requirements, raising income and residency thresholds in a policy shift, is expected to affect African migrants, after earlier promising up to $34,000 to encourage voluntary returns.

The policy affects over 100,000 pending applications and introduces stricter eligibility for all decisions after June 6.

The changes have sparked political tensions domestically and reflect a broader trend in Europe toward tighter migration and citizenship policies.

The legislation, passed by the Riksdag, the country’s national law-making body, introduces stricter eligibility criteria, including longer residency requirements, higher income thresholds, and mandatory proof of language proficiency and civic knowledge.

The move comes years after Sweden announced plans to offer certain migrants up to $34,000 to return to their home countries, starting in 2026, a policy shift authorities have described as part of a broader “paradigm shift” in migration policy.

Under the new framework, the minimum residency period required for citizenship will increase from five to eight years.

Applicants must also demonstrate a monthly income of at least 22,000 Swedish kronor (about €2,037) before tax, while maintaining a clean criminal record and no outstanding debts.

The measures will apply to all decisions issued from June 6, including more than 100,000 pending applications, introducing retrospective effects that could alter timelines for thousands of migrants who expected to qualify under the previous rules.