Sweden’s government has announced a plan to use existing laws to slow down the processing of citizenship applications. This move could extend waiting times by up to three years for tens of thousands of applicants, as the government prepares to implement stricter rules requiring eight years of residency instead of five.
In a joint article published in Dagens Nyheter, Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch, Liberal leader Johan Pehrson, and Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Åkesson detailed the policy. The leaders argued that granting citizenship under the current, less stringent rules poses a security risk.
“Citizenship that is granted without the applicant meeting the extended requirements constitutes a vulnerability for Sweden’s security,” the article stated. The policy aims to prevent new citizenship awards until tougher legislation comes into effect.
There are over 80,000 citizenship applications currently under review by the Swedish Migration Agency. The Tidö coalition parties, which include the Moderates, Liberals, and Christian Democrats, are working with the Sweden Democrats to act within existing regulations to delay these applications wherever possible.
The policy is part of a broader platform that also includes measures to combat organized crime, expand prison capacity, accelerate vehicle electrification, and reduce healthcare waiting times.
Jimmie Åkesson has previously proposed a moratorium on new citizenships, and Christian Democrat leader Ebba Busch has called for slowing down approvals to prevent applicants from gaining citizenship under the current system.
While the move has drawn attention to the growing influence of the far-right Sweden Democrats, proponents argue it reflects a commitment to safeguarding Swedish security and societal values. Critics, however, caution that delaying citizenship could increase uncertainty for many applicants who have met existing legal requirements.
