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Dual Citizenship permitted for the first time in Sweden.

Alexandra Birk is an Immigrant Consultant who is employed by Huddinge kommun and a member of the ESCC. Several members have requested advice regarding the new Swedish law regarding dual citizenship that will go into effect after 1 July. She has offered the following recommendations about applying for Swedish citizenship under the new law and her services to any ESCC member who may have problems understanding the procedure. (Ed.)



Now you can apply for Swedish citizenship without renouncing your present citizenship.

But, to be on the safe side, do not apply until after 1 July 2001, this is when the new rule of dual citizenship will be valid. If you jump the gun by applying before that date it is possible your application might be processed under the current regulations (see below) and you will have to re-apply again with time lost and possibly additional costs.

All information required regarding application information can be found in English on the Migration Board website: http://www.migrationsverket.se/load1.htm?english/einfo/emedborg.htm?. Although the new law regarding dual citizenship is not yet mentioned there. It is described in the Swedish language site. The following is an unofficial translation of the Swedish text:

Dual citizenship (under the new law after 1 July 2001, Ed)
A Swedish citizen who acquires citizenship in another country does not lose his Swedish citizenship. Foreign citizens who become Swedish may retain their foreign citizenship if permitted by the laws of that country.

Prior Swedish citizens
If a Swede has lost his/her Swedish citizenship due to becoming a citizen in another country they can re-acquire their Swedish citizenship by applying for it. Such an application should be made between 1 July 2001 and 30 June 2003.

Children with Swedish parents
Currently a child becomes Swedish automatically if the mother is Swedish or if the father is Swedish and married to the foreign mother. According to the new law the child becomes automatically Swedish if it is born in Sweden and the father is a Swedish citizen. Of the child is born abroad, an application for Swedish citizenship suffices - there is no demand made on the father for child custody.

Stateless children born in Sweden
A stateless child can become a Swedish citizen if the child has a Permanent Resident Permit (PUT) and resides in Sweden. The parents or guardians must apply for the child's Swedish citizenship prior to its fifth birthday."

For additional and more detailed information you can also phone the Migration Board in Norrköping :
  • Phone: 011 -15 60 00
  • Or contact its local offices in Stockholm:
    1. For those who live in the north:
    Address: Box 507, 169 29 Solna
    Phone: 08 -568 439 50
    Enquiries in person:
    Anderstorpsvägen 4, Huvudsta centrum.
    2. For those who live in the south:
    Address: Box 249, 127 25 Skärholmen
    Phone: 08 -680 23 00

  • Enquiries in person:
    Skärholmstorget 3, Skärholmen
    Either office will have the application forms available and you can leave them there after you have filled them in, but do not submit your application under the dual citizenship law until after 1 July. There is a SEK 1500 fee required although cash is not accepted. Payment is made into the Migration Board's PostGiro account. The application will not be processed unless the funds are received. If the parent(s) wishes that their minor-age children be included in the citizenship application, there is no additional fee required. The applications are not very difficult to fill in - but if you need any help, I am at your service.

The current requirements for becoming a Swedish citizen are through: (Note: There are different rules for citizens of the Nordic countries.)
  • Birth
  • Adoption
  • Legalisation
  • Naturalisation (acquiring Swedish citizenship by application): involves a person becoming a Swedish citizen by applying for Swedish nationality. If you wish to become a Swedish citizen by application before 1 July, you have to fulfil the following conditions:
    1. You must be able to prove your identity for the proof of identity requirement by submitting the personbevis document available through the Lokala skattemyndigheten. Service Telephone 020- 567 000!
    2. You must be at least 18 years of age (the age requirement). You must have been living in Sweden for at least five years. If you are a Danish, Finnish, Icelandic or Norwegian citizen, two years will suffice (the duration of residency requirement).
    3. You must have a clean record in Sweden (the good conduct requirement). You must also be willing to renounce your present citizenship (until 1/ 7/2001).

There are some exceptions to the residency rule; for example, persons married to a Swedish-born citizen for at least two years have only a 3-year residency requirement.

Before 1 July, if you are citizen of a country where you automatically lose your citizenship by renouncement, you'll still lose it after that date, but if you want it back, you'll have to reapply for it.

After 1 July, the renouncement requirement has been removed from the Swedish law and when you apply for Swedish citizenship you will be permitted to keep your current passport but you can expect the same personal background search that is applicable under the current law.

The Migration Board will collect information about you from the Enforcement (Bailiff) Service (debts), the Social Insurance Office (maintenance/alimony debts), the National Police Board (crimes or suspected offences) and the Swedish Security Service (security checks). The Migration Board is the body that considers applications for Swedish citizenship and makes the final decision. Remember that your financial background will be checked thoroughly. Even an unpaid parking ticket, a small fine or a non-payment of a bill or child support (even if any of these are being litigated) could bring a halt to the processing procedure. See that your affairs are in order before you file. Additional details regarding this investigation are available on the Migration Board website. Please do not expect instant processing. Judging from their current practice, among other demands that the Migration Board will make of the applicant is an attested complete copy of the current passport as well as having to submit the original for their examination prior to decision. From my own experience in this matter, it will probably take almost a year from date of application for final approval.

Alexandra Birk, Phone: 08 - 535 357 36.
Immigrant Consultant in "Huddinge kommun"

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