Sweden introduces tough new citizenship rules for migrants who need to demonstrate they respect Western values and society

Sweden has introduced a new set of tough citizenship rules for migrants, who must now demonstrate that they respect the nation’s Western values and society.

The Scandinavian country’s government said that it was eager to tighten up the rules for those who wanted to acquire Swedish nationality.

So far, recommendations of prerequisites include earning an “honest living”, as well increasing the required amount of time spent in the country ahead of getting citizenship to eight years, instead of five.

They would also have to pass a test on Swedish society and values, as well as a language exam.

Taking to social media to outline his department’s latest news, migration minister Johan Forssell shared an Instagram post where he wrote: “Citizenship must be earned, not be handed out unconditionally.”

In a press conference, Forssell said that citizenship would help unite people with different backgrounds together under “a common Swedish identity”.

Adding that it was “crucial” to always be “very clear about the values that must apply in Sweden”, he said: “’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.”

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After a huge wave of migrants entered the country in 2015, Swedish governments have attempted to restrict immigration and asylum policy ever since.

Sweden even took on the largest number of asylum seekers (163,000) throughout the crisis, which was the highest figure per capita of all EU member states.

Such an influx of people created an impossibility of integration for incoming migrants, according to Forssell, as there was a severe lack of housing, schools and jobs for the new larger population.

The probe has advised that the new set of laws ought to come into effect on June 1, 2026.

As it stands, the government will begin to draw up a first draft of the bill once the several authorities and agencies review the probe’s recommendations.

In 2024, the number of permitted asylum seekers in Sweden hit its lowest level in four decades, according to government figures, after successive governments have worked to restrict their immigration policies.

Only 6,250 resident permits for asylum-related purposes were allowed last year, Forsell said, citing the Migration Agency’s own statistics.

Such figures have excluded Ukrainian refugees, who have been granted asylum across every EU nation.