Sweden introduced significant reforms to its citizenship legislation during 2026. While much of the public discussion has focused on the new rules for adults, important changes also affect children applying for Swedish citizenship.

Many parents are now asking questions such as the following:

• Does my child need a permanent residence permit?
• Can a child apply with a temporary residence permit?
• How long must a child have lived in Sweden?
• Does my child need to know Swedish?
• What happens if my child has a residence card or right of residence under EU law?

A child’s eligibility for Swedish citizenship must always be assessed independently. A parent’s citizenship, permanent residence or immigration status does not automatically mean that the child satisfies the legal requirements.

This article provides a practical overview of the current legal framework governing Swedish citizenship applications for children under the age of 18.

A Child Now Submits Their Own Application

One of the most important changes introduced on 6 June 2026 is that children are no longer normally included in a parent’s citizenship application. Instead, each child must have a separate application submitted by the child’s parent or legal guardian. Where a child has more than one legal guardian, all legal guardians must approve the application.

If the child has reached the age of 12, the child must normally consent to becoming a Swedish citizen by signing the application. This reflects the principle that citizenship is an individual legal status and that each child’s eligibility must be assessed independently.

Does Every Child Need a Permanent Residence Permit?

No, this is probably one of the most common misunderstandings following the 2026 reforms. As a general rule, a child must have one of the following before Swedish citizenship can be granted:

• a permanent residence permit;
• residence status;
• right of residence under EU or EEA law; or
• a residence card.

However, following legislative amendments that entered into force on 12 July 2026, some children may also qualify while holding certain qualifying temporary residence permits.

A permanent residence permit is not required in every case. However, not every temporary residence permit qualifies. The precise legal basis of the child’s residence is often the decisive factor.

Whether a child qualifies depends on the legal basis of the child’s residence. For this reason, two children with similar immigration histories may not necessarily have the same entitlement to apply for Swedish citizenship.

When Can a Child Apply Without Permanent Residence?

The Swedish Citizenship Act now recognises that certain children may qualify without holding permanent residence. This may include children who hold qualifying residence based on the following:

• long-term resident status in Sweden;
• refugee status;
• subsidiary protection;
• exceptionally distressing circumstances;
• certain lasting impediments to the enforcement of a removal decision; or
• family ties to a person whose residence permit is based on one of those qualifying grounds.

Where these exceptions apply, the Swedish Migration Agency will normally also consider whether the child has well-founded prospects of continuing to have lawful residence in Sweden.

In practical terms, this means there should normally be a realistic prospect that the child’s lawful residence will continue. Where the child has lived in Sweden for at least ten years, this forward-looking assessment generally does not apply.

How Long Must a Child Have Lived in Sweden?

The required period of residence depends on the child’s age and circumstances.

The general rules are the following:

• Three years for most children under the age of 15.
• Two years for a stateless child under the age of 15.
• Five years for children aged 15 or over.
• Two years for Nordic citizens.

The child must normally have been habitually resident in Sweden during the relevant period. Short holidays abroad usually do not interrupt habitual residence. However, longer periods spent outside Sweden may affect how the residence period is calculated.

Identity Must Normally Be Established

As with adult citizenship applications, a child must normally establish their identity. This is usually done through a valid passport or another accepted national identity document. In certain circumstances, other evidence may also be accepted. The legislation also contains limited exceptions where identity cannot be fully documented but the statutory conditions are nevertheless satisfied.

Additional Requirements From the Age of 15

Children who have reached the age of 15 are subject to additional requirements. The Swedish Migration Agency will normally consider whether the child has lived an orderly life. This assessment reflects the conduct requirements introduced as part of the 2026 citizenship reforms.

The assessment may include matters such as:

• criminal convictions;
• repeated offending;
• security-related concerns; and
• other circumstances relevant under the Swedish Citizenship Act.

A criminal conviction does not, in itself, prevent the grant of Swedish citizenship. However, depending on the seriousness of the offence and the circumstances of the individual case, the applicant may need to complete a qualifying waiting period before citizenship can be granted.

Additional Requirements From the Age of 16

Children who have reached the age of 16 may also need to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of:

• the Swedish language; and
• Swedish society.

These requirements may often be satisfied through Swedish school education or other recognised evidence, although each application is assessed on its individual merits.

Children With EU or EEA Residence Rights

Different rules apply to children who are:

• EU or EEA citizens; or
• family members of EU or EEA citizens.

Where a child relies upon right of residence or a residence card, the Swedish Migration Agency may assess whether the conditions for exercising that right have actually been met.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include examining whether the parent or family member through whom the child’s right of residence is derived has fulfilled the relevant requirements under EU law. The assessment is therefore based on the child’s individual circumstances rather than simply the existence of a residence card.

Long-Term Resident Status – An Important Distinction

Another area that frequently causes confusion concerns long-term resident status. Some families move to Sweden after a parent has already obtained long-term resident status in another EU member state. Others later obtain long-term resident status in Sweden after several years of lawful residence.

Long-term resident status granted in Sweden should not automatically be confused with long-term resident status granted by another EU Member State. The child’s own residence status and the legal basis of the residence permit must always be examined.

Although these situations may appear similar, they can involve different legal provisions. The outcome may therefore depend on the legal basis of the child’s residence permit and the individual circumstances of the case.

When assessing a child’s eligibility for Swedish citizenship, it is important to examine the following:

• the child’s current residence status;
• the legal basis of the child’s residence permit; and
• whether the child falls within one of the categories recognised by the Swedish Citizenship Act.

Similarly, if a child’s application for Swedish long-term resident status is still pending, the child should not automatically be regarded as already holding that status. Each case must therefore be assessed individually on its own facts and the applicable legislation.

Special Categories of Children

Different statutory rules may apply to:

• stateless children;
• adopted children;
• children born to Swedish parents;
• children who may qualify through notification rather than application; and
• certain other categories provided for in the Swedish Citizenship Act.

These situations should always be considered separately because different legal requirements may apply.

Before Submitting an Application

Before submitting a citizenship application for a child, parents or legal guardians should carefully consider the following questions:

• Does the child satisfy the required period of habitual residence in Sweden?
• Has the child’s identity been established?
• Does the child currently hold a residence status or residence permit that satisfies the requirements of the Swedish Citizenship Act?
• What is the legal basis of the child’s current residence status or residence permit?
• If the child is aged 12 or over, has the required consent been provided?
• If the child is aged 15 or over, could the conduct requirements affect the application?
• If the child is aged 16 or over, do the language and knowledge of Swedish society requirements apply?
• Are there any special statutory provisions applicable to the child’s circumstances, such as those relating to stateless children, adopted children or children entitled to acquire citizenship by notification?

Carefully reviewing these issues before submitting an application can often prevent unnecessary delays, requests for further information and avoidable refusals.

Every child’s circumstances are different. The child’s own residence status, immigration history and the legal basis of the residence permit are often central to determining eligibility for Swedish citizenship.

Key Takeaways

• Children now normally submit their own Swedish citizenship application.
• All legal guardians must approve the application.
• Children aged 12 or over must normally provide their own consent.
• A permanent residence permit is not always required, but only certain residence statuses or residence permits satisfy the legal requirements.
• The required period of residence depends on the child’s age and individual circumstances.
• Children aged 15 or over are subject to conduct requirements.
• Children aged 16 or over may also need to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the Swedish language and Swedish society.
• Children relying on EU or EEA residence rights may be assessed under separate legal provisions.
• The child’s own residence status and the legal basis of the child’s residence permit are often decisive when determining eligibility.
• Every citizenship application is assessed individually by the Swedish Migration Agency based on the applicable legislation and the specific facts of the individual case.

References

The following sources were consulted in preparing this article:

• Swedish Citizenship Act (2001:82) (Lag (2001:82) om svenskt medborgarskap), particularly sections 12, 12a, 13–13c and 20.
• Government Bill 2025/26:175 – Skärpta krav för svenskt medborgarskap.
• Swedish Parliament (Riksdagen) – Proposition 2025/26:175.
• Swedish Migration Agency – Citizenship for Children.
• Swedish Migration Agency – New Rules for Swedish Citizenship from 6 June 2026.
• Swedish Migration Agency – Exemptions from the Requirement for a Permanent Residence Permit to Obtain Swedish Citizenship (published 12 July 2026).

Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information only. It is not legal advice. Every immigration case is different, and the outcome depends on the individual facts, evidence and the law applicable at the time the decision is made.