Dual citizenship in Sweden: what applies?

Many people who are considering becoming Swedish citizens wonder whether they have to give up their old citizenship. The answer from the Swedish side is no, but that is only half the truth. Here we go through what the Swedish Migration Agency and the Government write about dual citizenship, risks when travelling, when you can lose citizenship and how you can keep, regain or give it up, as at 17 October 2026.

Sweden allows dual citizenship

The Swedish Migration Agency writes that Sweden allows dual and multiple citizenship. This means that a person is a citizen of two or more countries. If you become a Swedish citizen, you can keep your previous citizenship if the law in the other country allows it. You have to find out for yourself whether your previous home country accepts dual citizenship, because the laws of some countries do not allow it. A Swedish citizen who becomes a citizen of another country can be allowed to keep their Swedish citizenship.

Citizenship or permanent residence permit?

Foreign citizens who have a permanent residence permit and are registered in the Swedish population register have in principle the same rights and obligations as Swedish citizens. The Swedish Migration Agency mentions a few rights that only Swedish citizens have: an absolute right to live and work in Sweden, the right to vote in parliamentary elections, the right to be elected to the Riksdag and the possibility of becoming a police officer or a professional soldier. There are also other jobs where Swedish citizenship can be a requirement. As a Swedish citizen it also becomes easier to work in other EU countries. The Government adds that only Swedish citizens have the right to hold a Swedish passport.

Risks of dual citizenship

The Swedish Migration Agency and the Government warn about risks. The main one is that your Swedish citizenship is not recognised by the other country where you are also a citizen. Swedish authorities may then have limited ability to help you if you are arrested by the police or end up in an emergency there. The Government writes that all Swedish citizens have the right to consular help abroad, even with dual citizenship, but that the other country can limit what Swedish authorities are allowed to do. You can also run into problems if you travel to a third country and did not enter on your Swedish passport but on the other one.

Travelling with two passports and military service

The Government answers common questions about travelling with dual citizenship. If you travel with two passports, border police and customs authorities may carry out extra checks. You may lack an entry or exit stamp in one of the passports, and the reason you have two passports may be questioned. In some countries a passport can be seized, and you may risk fines or be prevented from leaving the country. Many countries have compulsory military service. If you are a citizen of such a country, you may be required to do military service there even if you live in Sweden, and you may be called up in connection with a visit. In some countries you may risk a prison sentence if you have not done your military service. Therefore find out what applies in your other country of citizenship before you travel there.

Children and exit bans

The Government also warns that a marriage entered into in Sweden, a Swedish divorce or a Swedish custody decision does not automatically apply in all countries. In some countries a parent can place an exit ban on a child, which can prevent the other parent from leaving the country with the child even though that parent has custody in Sweden. Check what applies in the other country before the trip. How children become Swedish citizens is explained in the article on automatic citizenship for children.

Losing, keeping and regaining Swedish citizenship

Swedish citizenship can be lost in some cases. You lose it when you turn 22 if you were born outside Sweden, have never lived here and have not been in Sweden under circumstances that show a connection to the country. You do not lose it if you would then become stateless, nor if you have lived in Denmark, Finland, Iceland or Norway for a total of at least seven years. You can apply to keep your citizenship after you have turned 18 but before you turn 22. It costs nothing. If you have lost your citizenship, you can regain it under certain conditions. Citizens of Denmark, Finland, Iceland or Norway who live in Sweden and are registered in the population register can make a notification, and the fee is SEK 475.

Giving up citizenship

Anyone who no longer wants to be a Swedish citizen can apply to be released from citizenship. You must then be a citizen of another country or intend to become one. It costs nothing. If you are already a citizen of another country, you are released as soon as the decision is made. If you have no other citizenship, you receive a conditional decision: you are released only on the day you obtain another citizenship, if that happens within one year, otherwise you keep the Swedish one because you cannot be released into statelessness. Your child does not automatically lose citizenship, as that requires a separate application.

What we do not know

We cannot say what applies in your other country of citizenship. That is decided by that country's law, and you should ask its authorities or embassy. This text is not legal advice. If you are unsure whether you are a Swedish citizen, you can apply to the Swedish Migration Agency for a declaration of citizenship. What is required to become a Swedish citizen is set out in requirements for Swedish citizenship.