Swedish Citizenship Approvals Drop Dramatically After Stricter Rules Take Effect

Öresund residents waiting for Swedish citizenship face longer delays and stricter evaluations. Sweden's Migration Agency approved only 99 citizenship applications in July 2026. That is a sharp drop from nearly 4,000 approvals in May 2026. Official statistics released on August 17 show this dramatic decline. The sudden fall follows the launch of much stricter citizenship rules.

The new regulations introduce tougher residency requirements and higher income criteria for applicants. Candidates must now also pass standardized language and civics tests to qualify. The Swedish government introduced these changes without any transitional provisions. Therefore, existing pending applications face the tough new standards immediately.

This shift directly impacts cross-border residents commuting between Malmö and Copenhagen. Long-term foreign residents planning permanent settlement must prepare for longer waiting times. You can check the latest immigration updates for further procedural details. This news was originally reported by news outlet The Local.