Sweden clears way for citizenship revocation for dual nationals

Under the amendment, a future law could allow Swedish citizenship to be withdrawn from people who also hold another nationality if they obtained their Swedish citizenship on incorrect grounds, or if they have been convicted of a crime that seriously harms Sweden’s vital interests.

The constitutional change takes effect on 1 January 2027. Further legislation is needed to put citizenship revocation into practice; its content and start date remain undecided. The decision concerns citizenship, not an immediate power to confiscate passports.

The Riksdag approved the package by 292 votes to 51. It also puts the right to abortion in the constitution and allows future laws to restrict freedom of association for groups engaged in serious crime for financial or other improper gain. The vote was the second required for a constitutional amendment, following an initial vote in May and a parliamentary election in between.

During the debate, Left Party MP Caroline Täljeblad argued that the phrase ‘Sweden’s vital interests’ was too vague and could give future governments room to widen the grounds for revocation. Social Democrat MP Amalia Rud Stenlöf said implementing legislation must respect international conventions and protect against arbitrary decisions.