Swedish political parties have agreed that dual citizens who commit crimes that threaten national security should lose their citizenship.
A cross-party committee recommended the change could apply to anyone who used bribes or false information to obtain their citizenship; Likewise, if they commit crimes that pose a threat to the state or fall within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
But it stopped short of proposals made by the minority government to revoke the citizenship of gangsters.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömer said that Sweden is dealing with “violent extremism and government agencies that behave in a hostile manner towards Sweden, as well as systematic organized crime.”
Under the Swedish constitution, revocation of citizenship is not currently permitted, and a vote will be held in parliament next year on changing the laws.
Center-left opposition parties say that revoking the citizenship of gang criminals would be an exaggerated step, as it would be difficult to determine how to define the law.
However, Sweden's centre-right ruling parties, backed by the more extreme, anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, want changes to address a spike in gang crime and a high rate of gun homicides.
“The proposals I received today will not give us the possibility of regaining Swedish citizenship from the gang leaders of the criminal networks based abroad, who run shootings, bombings and murders on the streets of Sweden,” Stromer told Swedish Radio.
The government points to neighboring Denmark, where citizenship can already be revoked for an act that “seriously harms the vital interests of the state.” The law has recently been expanded to cover some forms of serious gang crime.
Sweden's minority government has also moved to tighten rules for applying for citizenship.
Immigration Minister Johan Forssell said last year police reported 600 cases of people who applied and were considered a threat to national security.
From June 2026, anyone seeking a Swedish passport will have to live in the country for eight years instead of the current five. Swedish language and community tests will also be included.
Forssell said it was “very easy” to become a Swede and that it should be something to be proud of: “We will build a cohesive Sweden, where Swedish citizenship is even more important.”
“Girls and boys have the right to swim and play football. If you don't accept that, Sweden is not the country for you.”
Sweden Democrats leader Jimmi Åkesson wants the government to go further, requiring new citizens to take an oath of allegiance to Sweden.
But that did not appear in the recommendations of the government investigation.
Investigation author Kirsti Laakso Otvik said the changes would bring Sweden more in line with other European countries.
