How Much Does Sweden's Citizenship Test Cost? (2026)

The August 2026 test is free — confirmed

One clear, confirmed fact: the first sitting on 15 August 2026 is free of charge. This comes directly from UHR (the Swedish Council for Higher Education). If you are registered for the August 2026 test, you will not pay UHR a fee to sit it.

What about later test sittings?

This is where it gets less certain. As of June 2026, UHR has not announced a fee for sittings after August 2026, nor confirmed that later sittings will remain free.

• Confirmed: the 15 August 2026 test is free.
• Not announced: whether sittings later in 2026, in 2027, or beyond will carry a fee.

We are deliberately not guessing at a number. When UHR publishes this, the official source will be uhr.se.

Don't confuse the test fee with the application fee

A common source of confusion: the cost of the test is not the same as the cost of applying for citizenship.

• The citizenship application fee is paid to Migrationsverket when you submit your citizenship application. This fee exists independently of the test and is set by Migrationsverket.
• The test is run by UHR, and the August 2026 sitting is free.

So even though the first test is free, applying for citizenship itself still involves the normal Migrationsverket application fee. Always check Migrationsverket's current fee schedule for the application cost. For a step-by-step walkthrough of the application itself, see our guide to how to apply for Swedish citizenship in 2026.

The total real cost of getting Swedish citizenship in 2026

To budget honestly, look beyond the test itself. The full cost is a stack of small fees plus indirect costs that are easy to miss.

1. Citizenship application fee (Migrationsverket)

The biggest single fee most adults pay. According to Migrationsverket's published fee schedule, the adult application fee is SEK 1,500 electronically via the e-service, and SEK 1,700 on paper. Children under 18 included in a parent's application have historically been free, but under the new rules children may need a separate application — check Migrationsverket's current guidance. Always confirm the current figure on migrationsverket.se.

2. Civics test fee (UHR — TBD)

The August 2026 pilot is free. The government has tasked UHR with analysing whether and how a fee should be charged for future rounds, but as of June 2026 no fee has been announced. Budget conservatively for a possible modest fee on later sittings, but do not lock in a number until UHR publishes one.

3. Future Swedish language test (from 1 October 2027)

A separate language requirement is scheduled to take effect on 1 October 2027. Format and fee are not yet finalised. Applicants in 2026 are not affected, but those applying in late 2027 and beyond should watch this as a possible additional cost.

4. Identity documents

You need a valid passport or other approved ID for the in-person identity check and to sit the test. If your passport has expired, renewal is a separate cost paid to your home country's authorities (or to Polisen once you become a citizen). See our guide to identity verification for citizenship for what counts as valid ID.

5. In-person ID check at Migrationsverket

The ID check itself has no separate fee, but it has a real cost in time: booking, travel, and possibly taking time off work. For where these are held, see ID check booking locations 2026.

6. Optional study materials

The free UHR study material Sverige i fokus covers everything the test asks about. Paid prep apps, books, or courses are optional — none are required to pass.

Hidden costs people miss

The published fees are only part of the story. These indirect costs catch most applicants off guard.

• Translation and apostille of foreign documents. If your birth certificate or previous citizenship documents are not in Swedish or English, Migrationsverket may require certified translations — typically a few hundred to over a thousand kronor per document. Apostille or legalisation in your country of origin adds further cost.
• Time off work for appointments. Migrationsverket appointments are during office hours; for shift workers and freelancers, that is real lost income.
• Multiple appointments if documents are incomplete. Arrive without the right paperwork and you may need to rebook and travel again.
• Travel to the test centre. If the nearest test location is not in your town, factor in transport and possibly an overnight stay. See test registration 2026 for how locations are assigned.

How Sweden compares with its neighbours

Sweden's citizenship costs are roughly mid-range for the Nordic region. Verify figures with each country's official authority before relying on them.

• Norway — UDI application fee plus citizenship test and Norwegian language proficiency. Combined costs tend to sit above Sweden's, especially once language testing is included.
• Denmark — historically one of the more expensive: substantial SIRI application fee plus separate fees for the indfødsretsprøven and Danish language tests.
• Finland — Migri application fee in a similar range to Sweden's, with electronic cheaper than paper, plus a language proficiency demonstration.
• Germany — for comparison outside the Nordics: Einbürgerungstest around EUR 25, naturalisation fee EUR 250–255 for adults.

Treat these as orientation, not gospel — fees change, and your personal situation shifts the total significantly.

A realistic budget for one adult applicant

A single adult applying in 2026 should budget roughly:

• SEK 1,500–1,700 — Migrationsverket application fee.
• SEK 0 — August 2026 test (if invited); possibly a small fee for later sittings.
• SEK 500–2,000 — translations and certified copies of foreign documents.
• SEK 300–1,500 — travel and time costs for the ID check and the test centre.
• SEK 0 — study materials, if you stick to free UHR content and the recommended free apps and resources.

A realistic envelope of roughly SEK 2,500–4,000 for a straightforward case. Families or applicants needing retakes will land higher.

What if you fail the test?

UHR has not yet confirmed retake rules or fees. The detailed test format, scoring threshold, and the question of how soon you can re-sit are all still being finalised. For what is known so far, see test scoring and retakes. The honest answer today: budget for the possibility of a retake, but no one can quote you a retake fee until UHR publishes one.

Refunds: what Migrationsverket does not refund

This catches a lot of people: Migrationsverket does not refund the citizenship application fee if your application is rejected, if you withdraw it, or if you discover after applying that you do not meet the requirements. The fee is for processing, not for a successful outcome. That is one more reason to read the eligibility rules carefully before paying — start with our medborgarskapsprovet overview and the registration guide before submitting anything.

Free alternatives to paid prep

You do not need to spend money to prepare for the test. The whole point of UHR's approach is that the source material is public. Free options include:

• UHR's Sverige i fokus — the official study material, distributed as a free PDF with audio. This is the source the test is built from. See our overview at Sverige i fokus.
• The Swedish Citizenship Test app — free to install, with structured lessons, practice questions, mock exams, and audio in multiple languages.
• Public libraries — most Swedish municipal libraries carry citizenship and society books, and many offer SFI-adjacent reading material at no cost.
• SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) — municipal Swedish courses are tax-funded and free for residents who qualify, and the civics-adjacent modules overlap heavily with what the test covers.

For more, see our roundup of the best apps and resources.

Bottom line

If you are sitting the test on 15 August 2026, it is free. Beyond that, the fee position for later sittings has not been announced, and the citizenship application fee paid to Migrationsverket is separate. Watch UHR for the official update on future test fees.

This article is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with UHR, Migrationsverket, or the Swedish state. It summarises publicly available information as of May 2026. Several practical details of the citizenship test have not yet been finalised by UHR; for official, up-to-date information always consult Migrationsverket and UHR.

Frequently asked questions

How much will future test sittings cost?

UHR has been tasked with analysing whether and how a fee should be charged for future rounds. As of June 2026, no fee has been announced. Watch uhr.se for the official update.

What is the total cost of becoming a Swedish citizen in 2026?

For a straightforward single adult, roughly SEK 2,500–4,000 once you include the Migrationsverket application fee, translations, certified copies, and travel. Families and complex cases land higher.

Will Migrationsverket refund my application fee if I'm denied?

No. The application fee covers processing, not outcome. It is not refunded if you are rejected or withdraw.

Do I have to pay for study materials?

No. UHR's Sverige i fokus is free, the Swedish Citizenship Test app is free to install, and libraries and SFI courses give you more material at no cost.