Sweden’s political parties have agreed that dual citizens who commit crimes posing a threat to national security should face citizenship revocation.
A cross-party committee suggested that this change could apply to individuals who acquired citizenship through bribes or false information, or those who committed crimes and are a threat to national security or falling under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court. However, the committee did not endorse the minority government’s proposal to revoke citizenship from gang members.
Currently, Sweden’s constitution prohibits revoking citizenship, but a parliamentary vote on changing this law is planned for next year. Centre-left opposition parties argue that revoking gang criminals’ citizenship is excessive and difficult to define legally. The Left and the Greens oppose the removal of citizenship altogether.
Meanwhile, Sweden’s centre-right government, supported by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, seeks the changes to address rising gang crime and gun violence. Strommer expressed concern that the proposals wouldn’t allow revoking citizenship from gang leaders directing crimes from abroad.
The government cites Denmark, where citizenship can already be revoked for acts seriously harming state interests, recently expanded to include serious gang crimes.
Sweden’s government is also tightening citizenship application rules. Migration Minister Johan Forssell noted that last year, police flagged 600 applicants as national security threats. Starting June 2026, applicants will generally need eight years of residency instead of five and must pass language and society tests. Forssell emphasized that citizenship should be a source of pride and unity in Sweden.
Sweden Democrats leader Jimmie Akesson suggested a loyalty declaration for new citizens, but this was not included in the government inquiry’s recommendations. Inquiry author Kirsti Laakso Utvik stated that the changes would align Sweden more closely with other European nations.
