How long does it take to get Swedish citizenship?

The Swedish Migration Agency cannot say exactly how long your case will take. What exists is statistics on how long similar cases have taken. Here we show the figure and explain what it means and what it does not mean.

How to read the figure

The Swedish Migration Agency states that 75 percent of the recently decided cases have been decided within 52 months. The statistics are based on cases decided in the last 12 months. This means that three out of four cases that were recently decided had been decided within that time, and that the rest took longer.

The figure is not a guarantee and not a promise about how long your application will take. It reflects cases that have been decided so far. Since 6 June 2026, all cases are assessed under the new rules. We do not know how that affects the times, so we draw no conclusions.

What affects the waiting time

The Swedish Migration Agency writes that many things affect the waiting time, for example whether the application is complete from the start, whether the Swedish Migration Agency needs to request more information and whether checks with other authorities are needed while the case is investigated.

• A complete application with the right documents from the start.
• Checks with the Swedish Enforcement Authority, the Police Authority and the Security Service.
• An identity check through a personal visit to the Swedish Migration Agency.
• Possibly a citizenship test, if you cannot show the knowledge in any other way.

Use the waiting time well

You cannot affect the processing time, but you can prepare. If you are between 16 and 66 years old, you may need to show knowledge of Swedish and of Swedish society. Read UHR's study material Sverige i fokus at your own pace. See our guide to Sverige i fokus and our study tips.