Get it on Google Play Swedish Citizenship by Notification (Anmälan) in 2026
Sweden's citizenship reform from 6 June 2026 reshapes who can use the simplified notification route and who must instead go through the full application process. From that date, only three narrow groups can still submit a notification of Swedish citizenship. Everyone else must apply — and the application route now carries significant new requirements. This guide explains the difference, who still qualifies for notification, and what changes for families.
Notification vs. application: what's the difference?
Sweden offers two distinct legal routes to citizenship, and the new rules make the distinction more important than ever.
Notification (anmälan) is a simplified route to citizenship for specific groups considered to have a special connection to Sweden. It involves fewer requirements than a full application. It is not open to everyone — it is reserved for the categories the law sets out.
Application (ansökan) is the full process. From 6 June 2026, applying for citizenship is subject to the reform's new requirements, including a longer residence period, an income requirement, a civics test, and a conduct requirement. This is the route most people will now have to use.
The two should not be confused. A notification is a shorter path with fewer conditions; an application is the comprehensive process with the new 2026 conditions attached. Whether you can use notification at all depends entirely on which group you fall into.
Who can still use notification from 6 June 2026
From 6 June 2026, only the following groups can still submit a notification of Swedish citizenship:
- Adult Nordic citizens.
- Stateless children and young adults born in Sweden.
- Fathers of children born outside marriage and outside Sweden before 1 April 2015.
Everyone else must apply for citizenship through the full process — which is subject to the new eight-year residence requirement, the income requirement, the civics test, and the conduct requirement.
It is also worth knowing the direction of travel: the government has stated that it intends to phase out notifications "as far as possible." For now, the three groups above retain the route, but the long-term policy is to move most people onto the application process. If you think you might qualify for notification, it is worth confirming your situation with Migrationsverket sooner rather than later.
Adult Nordic citizens — the notification route
Citizens of the other Nordic countries have historically had a closer path to Swedish citizenship, reflecting the long-standing cooperation between the Nordic states. Under the 2026 rules, adult Nordic citizens remain one of the groups that can still acquire Swedish citizenship by notification, rather than going through the full application.
Because this is the notification route, it carries fewer requirements than a full application. If you are a Nordic citizen, this is generally the simpler path — but the precise conditions, documents, and fee are published by Migrationsverket on its page for Nordic citizens, and you should confirm them there before filing.
Note that the residence conditions for children differ from those for adults. For a child's notification, a child who is a Nordic citizen, regardless of age, must have lived in Sweden for 2 years. For adult Nordic citizens, check the dedicated Migrationsverket page below for the conditions that apply to you.
Stateless children and young adults born in Sweden
The second group that can still use notification from 6 June 2026 is stateless children and young adults born in Sweden. These provisions reflect Sweden's commitment to preventing statelessness — ensuring that children born in the country and without any citizenship have a route to becoming Swedish.
For children, the residence requirements that apply to a notification are specific and verified:
- Children under 15 must have lived in Sweden for 3 years.
- If the child is stateless, the requirement is 2 years of residence in Sweden.
- Children who are Nordic citizens, regardless of age, must have lived in Sweden for 2 years.
If your child was born in Sweden and is stateless, this is one of the most important parts of the law for your family. The conditions are designed specifically for this situation, and the residence threshold is shorter than the standard path. Read Migrationsverket's guidance for children carefully and contact them directly if anything is unclear.
Fathers of children born before 1 April 2015 (outside marriage, outside Sweden)
The third group that retains the notification route is fathers of children born outside marriage and outside Sweden before 1 April 2015. This is a legacy provision: it addresses how Swedish citizenship was historically passed from an unmarried Swedish father to a child born abroad before the rules changed on 1 April 2015.
If this describes your family, the father can submit a notification (anmälan) for the child to acquire Swedish citizenship, under the conditions set out in the law. This is a narrow and well-defined route, and the documentation around legal parenthood and birth registration can be technical.
If you think you qualify, contact Migrationsverket to confirm the documents and conditions for this specific notification type before you file.
Children: no longer included in a parent's application
One of the most consequential changes for families sits alongside the notification rules. From 6 June 2026, a child can no longer be included in a parent's application. The parent or legal guardian must submit a separate application — or a notification where the child is eligible — via Migrationsverket's e-service or form.
In practice, this means each child is now an individual case at Migrationsverket, with its own conditions, documents, and outcome. A parent acquiring Swedish citizenship does not automatically pass it to the child. The right route for each child depends on whether the child falls into one of the notification groups above or must apply.
We cover the family-specific mechanics in detail in our dedicated guide: Children and Swedish Citizenship After June 6, 2026. If you have children, read that alongside this article.
If you (or a teenager aged 16 or older) need to pass the civics test for a full application, the Swedish Civics app covers the full Sverige i fokus material in 13 languages, with audio in 5. 180+ lessons, 2,000+ practice questions, full mock exams. Free to install.
Start preparing for the civics testEveryone else: the full application route and its new requirements
If you do not fall into one of the three notification groups, you must apply for Swedish citizenship through the full process. From 6 June 2026, that process carries the reform's new requirements:
- Eight-year residence. The standard residence period for citizenship rises to eight years.
- Income requirement. An income requirement of approximately SEK 250,200 per year.
- Civics test. A civics test, with a pilot scheduled for 15 August 2026.
- Language test. A language test has been proposed to start on 1 October 2027.
- Orderly and honourable conduct. A conduct requirement covering the applicant's record and way of life.
These are substantial conditions, and they apply to the application route — not to notification. For a fuller breakdown of the reform, see our overview, What's New in Swedish Citizenship in 2026, and our deep dive into the residence change, The 8-Year Residency Rule.
If the civics test is part of your route, the source material is Sverige i fokus. You can start with our guide to Sverige i fokus and practise with our Swedish citizenship test resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between notification (anmälan) and application (ansökan)?
Notification (anmälan) is a simplified route to Swedish citizenship for specific groups with a special connection to Sweden, and it involves fewer requirements than a full application. Application (ansökan) is the full process and, from 6 June 2026, is subject to the new eight-year residence period, income requirement, civics test, and conduct requirement. Confirm which route applies to you with Migrationsverket.
Who can still use the notification route from 6 June 2026?
Only three groups: adult Nordic citizens; stateless children and young adults born in Sweden; and fathers of children born outside marriage and outside Sweden before 1 April 2015. Everyone else must apply for citizenship through the full process.
Can my child still be included in my application?
No. From 6 June 2026, a child can no longer be included in a parent's application. The parent or legal guardian must submit a separate application, or a notification where the child is eligible, via Migrationsverket's e-service or form.
What are the residence requirements for a child's notification?
For a child's notification, children under 15 must have lived in Sweden for 3 years, or 2 years if the child is stateless. Children who are Nordic citizens, regardless of age, must have lived in Sweden for 2 years. Confirm the current conditions with Migrationsverket for your case.
Will the notification route continue to exist?
The government has stated that it intends to phase out notifications as far as possible. For now, the three eligible groups can still use notification from 6 June 2026, but the long-term direction is toward the full application process for most people. Check Migrationsverket for the current rules before you file.
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