Sweden’s first citizenship test: around 80 per cent passed

Just over two months after the first citizenship test in Sweden’s history, the results are in: around 80 per cent of participants passed the exam in samhällskunskap, or civics. That is according to the news agency TT, citing the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR), which runs the test. At the same time, it remains unclear when the planned language test will be introduced.

875 participants, pass mark of 28 points

The first test was held on 15 August 2026 in Älvsjö in southern Stockholm. According to TT, 875 people took part; on the day of the exam, SVT had reported almost 1,000 participants. Results were due to reach everyone by Thursday morning, 22 October.

The exam consisted of 60 multiple-choice questions, each with four possible answers, only one of which is correct. It was taken on paper, in Swedish, within 90 minutes. According to UHR, the level corresponds to the knowledge expected at the end of year nine of compulsory school. Candidates needed 28 out of 40 points to pass – a threshold proposed by the University of Gothenburg, which developed the civics section.

Andreas Sandberg, who is in charge of the citizenship test at UHR, declined to pass judgement on the pass rate, according to TT. Measured against data from the test developers, however, he said it was a good result for a first round. The priority, he said, had been to make the test fair, legally sound and the same for everyone.

Background: stricter rules since 6 June

Since 6 June 2026, Sweden has applied considerably stricter requirements for citizenship. According to SVT, applicants must, among other things, have lived in Sweden for at least eight years, show an income at the so-called self-sufficiency level, lead an honest and orderly life, and demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the Swedish language and society. It is not UHR but the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) that decides who has to take the test.

The August sitting was a pilot and was therefore free of charge. Those who failed will get another chance. According to SVT, however, retaking the test will not simply be possible in future: instead, applicants would have to submit a new citizenship application.

Language test likely delayed until 2029

The next civics test is planned for spring 2027. The language test, also originally scheduled for 2027, is expected to come later: UHR has recommended that the government postpone it until 2029. According to TT, the ministry had not yet responded. Migrationsverket stresses that this does not remove the requirement to know Swedish. For now, it can be demonstrated, for example, through passing school grades in Swedish, completion of the highest SFI course (Swedish for Immigrants) or the Tisus language test.

What this means for travellers and people in Sweden

Nothing changes for holidaymakers. For people who live in Sweden or plan to move there, however, the news matters – even though many EU and Swiss citizens do not need Swedish citizenship for everyday life, as freedom of movement already allows them to live and work in Sweden.

• Plan for the long term: Anyone who would eventually like a Swedish passport, for example to vote in Riksdag elections, should expect at least eight years of residence and several forms of proof.
• Document your Swedish early: With the language test delayed, certificates are particularly valuable. A completed SFI course or a Tisus result can make it easier to provide proof later.
• Keep an eye on dates: The test has so far been offered only rarely, with the next one not until spring 2027. Information on registration and procedures is published by Migrationsverket and UHR.
• Check before applying: As failing may in future mean submitting a new application, thorough preparation before applying for citizenship is worthwhile.

Our guide Moving to Sweden gives an overview of requirements, steps and costs. If you want to work on your language skills, you will find tips under Learning Swedish.

Sources

• The Local Sweden (TT): The results of the first Swedish citizenship test are in. How many passed? (22 October 2026)
• TV4 (TT): Så många klarade medborgarskapsprovet (22 October 2026)
• SVT: Nya kraven för svenskt medborgarskap (15 August 2026)
• Migrationsverket: Medborgarskapsprovet i svenska kan flyttas fram (30 September 2026)