How to obtain Swedish citizenship for Ukrainians?
Swedish citizenship opens up new opportunities for Ukrainians: full participation in the country's life, social guarantees, the right to vote in elections, and much more. To go this way, it is important to know all the conditions and steps of the process.
Requirements for obtaining Swedish citizenship
To become a Swedish citizen, you must meet the following conditions:
- Be over 18 years of age.
- Continuous residence in Sweden for a certain period of time. Usually it is five years of permanent residence. For certain categories, this period may be shorter (for example, for refugees or persons married to a Swedish citizen).
- Permanent residence permit is required.
How to obtain citizenship: steps for Ukrainians
1. Preparation of documents. You will need:
- A valid passport and a copy of it.
- Certificate of no criminal record from Ukraine or another country of your residence for the last years.
- Proof of permanent residence in Sweden (documents confirming that you have lived in the country for the required period of time).
- Financial documents. This can be a certificate of employment, proof of income, documents for self-employed persons, or proof of own funds.
2. Submission of the application. The application for citizenship is submitted to the Swedish Migration Board (Migrationsverket). You can apply online on the official website or in person at the department's offices.
3. Waiting for consideration. After submitting the application, the application process begins, which can last from several months to a year or more, depending on the complexity of the case. During the review, additional documents may be requested or an interview may be scheduled.
Special conditions for children of Ukrainians
Children born before April 1, 2015, outside Sweden to a Swedish father and an unmarried foreign mother do not automatically become citizens. To obtain citizenship, the father must submit a special application.
If the parents get married and the child is under 18 years of age and unmarried, the child may become a citizen automatically.
Where to go for help?
💡 Use the services of a migration lawyer for Ukrainians from Visit Ukraine! Our specialists will help you at every stage: from preparing documents to obtaining citizenship. We provide advice on requirements, terms of residence, proof of financial solvency and all legal nuances. Achieve your goal with the support of an experienced specialist!
Documents to confirm your activities in Sweden
- If you work or have worked in Sweden:
- Certificate of employment indicating the period of employment.
- Certificate from the State Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen) if you were unemployed.
- A certificate from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency (Försäkringskassan) stating that you are unable to work due to illness or injury.
- For self-employed persons:
- Certificate of business registration.
- Tax returns.
- If you have your own funds:
- Documents of income (pensions, bank deposits, etc.).
- Confirmation that you or your family have not received social assistance.
Benefits of Swedish citizenship for Ukrainians
Swedish citizenship gives you the opportunity to:
- Travel freely within the EU.
- Receive social guarantees and medical care.
- Participate in elections.
- Sponsor family members for a visa.
In general, there are two main types of residence: permanent residence permit, local also known as permanent uppehallstillstand, temporary residence permit, which in Swedish is uppehallstillstand and, last but not least, a permanent residence card for a family member of a European Union citizen, local also known as uppehallskort.
To obtain a permanent residence permit, you need:
- Five years of continuous residence in Sweden
- have a residence permit or legal residence in Sweden on other grounds for the previous five years.
- be able to support yourself and your family.
You fill in the form “Ansökan om ställning som varaktigt bosatt”, 138011 and send it to the Swedish Migration Agency. Please note that everyone, including the accompanying spouse / partner or children, must submit their own application. Each person applying for long-term resident status in Sweden undergoes an individual examination.
Mailing addresses to the permit departments of the Migration Agency
Ansökan om ställning som varaktigt bosatt, form 138011 (only in Swedish) by link.
💡 Visit Ukraine's advice for Ukrainians traveling abroad
Planning a long trip or relocation to Sweden can be a daunting task. Where to start? What is the first step to getting a visa or residence permit? It is easy to get confused at first - especially if you have never done anything like this before.
That's why we recommend using Visit World's immigration guides - detailed step-by-step travel guides that provide basic advice on how to apply for a visa, permanent or temporary residence permit, and much more. Choose the guide you need by following the link!
You must also attach:
- Copies of your passport stating your personal details, signature, validity and whether you have a residence permit in countries other than your country of origin (more details on what the copies must contain)
- documents showing how you support yourself and your family. This can be shown, for example, by means of a certificate of employment and your latest salary certificates, pension benefits, bank statements, statements of your income from a Swedish tax agency or a statement of income from your own company.
- documents showing your living expenses, such as leases, sales contracts, and statements showing your monthly living expenses.
Registration process is described in more detail on the official website.
An application for a temporary residence permit is usually made for study, work, visiting Sweden, or relatives living in the country. In order to complete the application for a temporary residence permit as an EU citizen, you will need to provide the following documents:
- passport;
- Swedish job offer;
- salary offer;
- evidence of health and life insurance and social security provided by the employer.
As a rule, you can stay in the country for up to 2 years.
Family members can join you on a temporary Swedish visa, but they will have to apply for their own visa.
Keep in mind that permanent residence does not mean citizenship. If you leave Sweden for a long period of time, your permanent residence will be canceled. This period can range from two to six years, depending on your specific permit. Similarly, if you have committed a serious crime, you are also at risk of deportation and revocation of your permit.
Details about it on the link.
💡 Tip: To ensure a successful trip or move to a new country, take advantage of expert advice. Our qualified specialists with legal education will help you prepare for obtaining a residence permit in another country and avoid unpleasant situations during your stay abroad
