In the Stockholm City Hall over four thousand people participated in citizenship ceremonies, divided into two rounds. New citizens received voting rights as well as symbolic gifts, including: museum tickets. During the event, the Swedish anthem was sung together, and the naval band from Karlskrona performed a song by Abba.
According to data from the Swedish Migration Office, in 2025, over 38,000 people received citizenship. people. Among them there were approximately 1.6 thousand. Poles. The largest groups of new citizens also came from Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea, Somalia, Iraq, India and Finland.
However, the celebration coincided with the entry into force new regulationswhich significantly tighten the rules for obtaining a Swedish passport. And that without any transition period.
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New rules for granting citizenship to immigrants
From now on, people applying for citizenship will have to provide proof at least eight years of residence in Sweden — previously five years were required. An obligation to achieve was also introduced minimum income of PLN 2,000 crowns (approx. 1.9 euro) per month and the requirement “of impeccable reputation“.
One of the most important changes is the obligation to pass language proficiency test Swedish. The first exams are scheduled to take place in August.
The change is part of the increasingly tough migration policy of the Swedish government, which it has been announcing for months limiting the scale of migration and greater emphasis on the integration of newcomers.
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Proof of loyalty to the country
During the main celebrations of the national day, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson emphasized that citizenship should mean more than just the ability to travel freely.
— The Swedish passport is no longer just a travel document. Citizenship is supposed to be a proof of loyalty to our country – said the Prime Minister during the event in Strängnäs.
The Swedish national day commemorates Gustav Vasa's accession to the throne in 1523 and the adoption of the first constitution in 1809. Traditionally, celebrations take place primarily in the form of local picnics, festivals and outdoor events.
