Swedish plan to withdraw citizenship from people considered a threat to the State

Swedish political parties have agreed that dual nationals who commit crimes that threaten national security should lose their citizenship.

A cross-party committee recommended that the change could apply to anyone who had used bribes or false information to obtain their citizenship; and also if they committed crimes that posed a threat to the State or were under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

But he stopped short of the minority government’s proposals to revoke the gangsters’ citizenship.

Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said Sweden was dealing with “violent extremism, state actors acting in a hostile manner towards Sweden, as well as systemic organized crime.”

Under the Swedish constitution, revoking citizenship is currently not allowed and a vote will be held in parliament next year to change the laws.

Center-left opposition parties say revoking citizenship from gang criminals would be going too far, as it would be difficult to decide how to define the law.

However, Sweden’s centre-right ruling parties, backed by the more radical, anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, want the changes to address the dramatic rise in gang crime and the high rate of gun murders.

“The proposals I have received today will not give us the possibility of regaining Swedish citizenship from criminal gang leaders who are abroad and direct shootings, bombings and murders on the streets of Sweden,” Strommer told the Swedish Radio.

The government points to neighboring Denmark, where citizenship can already be withdrawn for an act that is “seriously detrimental to the vital interests of the State.” The law was recently expanded to include some forms of serious gang crimes.

Sweden’s minority government has also taken steps to tighten rules on applying for citizenship.

Migration Minister Johan Forssell said that last year police reported 600 cases of people submitting applications who were considered a threat to national security.

From June 2026, anyone applying for a Swedish passport will need to have lived in the country for eight years, instead of the current five. Tests on the Swedish language and society would also be included.

Forssell said it had been “too easy” to become Swedish and that it should be something to be proud of: “Let’s build a united Sweden, where Swedish citizenship matters more.”

“Girls and boys have the right to swim and play football. If you don’t accept it, Sweden is not your country.”

The leader of the Sweden Democrats, Jimmie Akesson, wants the government to go further and require new citizens to make a declaration of loyalty to Sweden.

However, this was not included in the recommendations of a government inquiry.

Research author Kirsti Laakso Utvik said the changes would bring Sweden closer to other European countries.