Swedish Citizenship Test Study Guide (2026)

What is the citizenship test?

The Swedish Riksdag passed a citizenship reform that took effect on 6 June 2026. It introduces a knowledge-of-society requirement (medborgarskapsprovet) and a Swedish-language requirement, plus stricter rules on residence, self-sufficiency, and orderly conduct.

No transitional arrangements

This is critical: there are no transitional rules. Migrationsverket applies the new rules to every citizenship application decided after 6 June 2026 — including applications that were already submitted before that date.

When does the test start?

• 15 August 2026 — first civics knowledge test (medborgarskapsprovet). Pilot, in Stockholm only, by invitation from Migrationsverket.
• From October 2027 at the earliest — Swedish language test (reading and listening comprehension).

Who runs the test?

The civics test is administered by UHR (Universitets- och högskolerådet — Swedish Council for Higher Education), the same agency that runs Sweden's national university entrance exam.

How do you sign up?

You can only register for the test if you have received a letter from Migrationsverket. Registration for the August 2026 test opened in early June 2026.

Test format

The August 2026 test is a pilot run ("utprövningsprov") and the first time the questions are used in a real exam. Several details — number of questions, time limit, pass mark, and which languages the test is offered in — have not yet been published by UHR. Expect a multiple-choice format similar to the Swedish driving theory test.

Cost

The August 2026 pilot test is free of charge. The general application fee for citizenship is currently 1,500 SEK. Future test fees have not been announced.

Who has to take it?

The civics knowledge requirement applies to applicants aged 16–66. There are exemptions: people who have completed Swedish secondary school, those with a passing grade in Svenska för invandrare (SFI) for Swedish, pensioners, and applicants with permanent disabilities.

New residence requirements

• 8 years — general adult applicants (was 5).
• 7 years — refugees, applicants under 21, spouses/partners of Swedish citizens (was 3).
• 5 years — stateless persons (was 4).
• 2 years — Nordic citizens or former Swedish citizens.
• 10 years minimum — applicants with unverifiable identity.

Self-sufficiency rule

Adult applicants (16–66) must be able to support themselves through their own income — at least three income base amounts per year (roughly 20,000 SEK per month). Income support eligibility is limited to six months over a three-year period. Partner income, assets, and short-term jobs do not count. Pensioners, people with permanent disabilities, and full-time degree students are exempt.

How to prepare

Daily practice with realistic questions on the 20 topic areas covered by Swedish civic knowledge. See our full topics list, 25 sample questions, or follow the 30-day study plan.