Sweden’s political parties have reached a significant agreement that could see dual citizens who commit crimes threatening national security lose their Swedish citizenship.
The proposal, which is still under review, aims to tighten rules around citizenship revocation in response to growing concerns over violent extremism, organized crime, and state threats.
A cross-party committee recently recommended a shift in the law, allowing authorities to revoke citizenship from those who gained Swedish nationality through deceit, such as bribery or false information.
The changes would also apply to individuals involved in criminal activities that pose a national security risk or fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
However, the committee stopped short of endorsing the minority government’s more ambitious proposal, which sought to strip citizenship from members of criminal gangs.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer expressed concerns over the growing threat posed by organized crime and foreign state actors.
“We are dealing with violent extremism, hostile actions from state actors against Sweden, as well as systemic organized crime,” Strommer said in a recent statement.
Currently, under Sweden’s constitution, revoking citizenship is not permissible. To change this, a vote will be held in parliament next year.
While the proposal has garnered significant support from Sweden’s centre-right governing parties and the far-right Sweden Democrats, it has faced strong opposition from left-wing parties.
The centre-left opposition argues that stripping gang criminals of their citizenship would be an overreach, especially as defining who qualifies for this action could prove difficult. The Left Party and the Greens have stated they cannot support any form of citizenship removal.
The government, however, argues that the new measures are crucial for combatting the surge in gang-related violence and gun crime.
“The proposals I received today will not give us the possibility to take back Swedish citizenship from gang leaders in criminal networks sitting abroad, directing shootings and bombings and murders on Sweden’s streets,” Strommer said in an interview with Swedish Radio.
The law change is not without precedent in Scandinavia. Sweden points to Denmark, where citizenship can already be revoked for actions deemed “seriously prejudicial to the vital interests of the state,” including some serious forms of gang crime.
The Swedish government is keen to follow Denmark’s lead in the fight against organized crime. In addition to the proposal on citizenship revocation, the Swedish government is planning to tighten the rules on applying for Swedish nationality.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell revealed that police had reported 600 cases of individuals applying for citizenship who were deemed a threat to national security.
Starting in June 2026, applicants will need to have lived in Sweden for eight years rather than the current five, and they will be required to pass tests on the Swedish language and culture.
Forssell defended the measures, stating that Sweden had made it “far too easy” to become a citizen. “We are going to build a Sweden that sticks together, where Swedish citizenship matters more,” Forssell added, reinforcing the government’s vision of a united society.
The leader of the Sweden Democrats, Jimmie Åkesson, has called for even more stringent measures, proposing that new citizens swear a declaration of loyalty to Sweden. However, this suggestion was not included in the recommendations of the government inquiry.
With these changes, Sweden aims to align its policies with other European nations while addressing the rising challenges posed by organized crime and external threats to national security.
The forthcoming parliamentary vote will ultimately determine the future of these significant proposals.