Costs and timeline: from today to citizenship in 2027–2028
What the tests and the application cost, how long it realistically takes and a month-by-month study plan.
Becoming a Swedish citizen in 2027 costs both money and time. Here we go through the known costs and sketch a realistic timeline from August 2026 to a decision in 2027 or 2028 – with the caveat that processing times are set by Migrationsverket.
Costs. The application fee for citizenship is set by Migrationsverket; check the current amount on their website before paying. The civics citizenship test costs 2 000 kr per sitting from 2027, and the fee is paid each time you sit it, including retakes. UHR will announce the fee for the language test when it is launched. Add possible costs for transcripts, travel to a test centre and study material.
A worked example: an applicant who passes the civics test at the first attempt pays the application fee plus 2 000 kr. Someone who needs two attempts pays 4 000 kr in test fees alone. Preparation is therefore the cheapest part of the process.
Timeline. Processing times for citizenship are long; in 2025 about 38 800 applications were granted, compared with 65 600 the year before. Migrationsverket publishes current times, and they can change. Realistically, someone applying in autumn 2026 should expect a decision in 2027 at the earliest, often later. The reading and listening language test will be available by 1 October 2027, so many applicants will sit both tests in the second half of 2027.
Month-by-month study plan. September–October 2026: map your requirements, order transcripts, submit the application and start reading one short Swedish text a day. November–December: civics area by area – democracy, the system of government, laws, welfare. January–February 2027: work, education, everyday life and history; sit your first full timed mock test.
March–May 2027: revise civics weekly, read longer texts and listen to Swedish news daily. June–August: book and sit the civics test as soon as Migrationsverket has called you; keep up reading and listening practice. September–December 2027: prepare for and take the language test once it is available, and start practising speaking and writing at A2 for that part, whose date has not been set.
2028: await the decision and supplement if Migrationsverket asks. If approved, your municipality will normally invite you to a citizenship ceremony. A tip: write every date – application, notice, test booking, results – in a calendar so you never miss a deadline when a letter arrives.
Bear in mind that a knowledge requirement for permanent residence is only a proposal (SOU 2023:25, aiming at July 2027) and no bill has been presented. The timeline above therefore concerns citizenship only.