Sweden’s plan is to remove citizenship from people deemed a threat to the country.

Sweden’s political parties have agreed that dual citizens who commit crimes that threaten national security should lose their citizenship.

The cross-party committee urged the change to apply to anyone who used bribes or false information to obtain citizenship. Also if they have committed crimes that are a threat to the state or come under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

However, the minority government’s proposal to strip criminals of their citizenship failed.

Justice Minister Gunnar Strömer said Sweden was dealing with “violent extremism, state actors taking hostile action against Sweden and organized crime”.

Under Sweden’s constitution, revocation of citizenship is currently not allowed, and parliament will vote on changing the law next year.

The center-left opposition parties say that it is difficult to decide how to revoke the citizenship of criminals, and they say that revoking their citizenship is a step too far.

However, Sweden’s centre-right ruling parties, backed by the more radical immigration Sweden Democrats, want the changes to address soaring gang crime and high rates of gun homicides.

“The proposal I received today does not give us the opportunity to take back Swedish citizenship from gang leaders in criminal networks living abroad,” Stromer told Swedish Radio.

The government points to neighboring Denmark, where citizenship can already be removed for an act that “seriously harms the important interests of the state”. The law was recently extended to include some serious gang crime.

Sweden’s minority government has moved to tighten laws on citizenship.

Immigration Minister Johannes Forsel said last year police reported 600 applicants who were deemed a threat to national security.

From June 2026, anyone applying for a Swedish passport will generally have to live in the country for eight years instead of the current five. Swedish language and community tests are also included.

Forsel said being Swedish was “very easy” and something to be proud of: “We will build a more cohesive Sweden where Swedish citizenship is even more important.”

“Girls and boys have the right to swim and play football. If you don’t accept this, Sweden is not your country.”

Sweden Democrat Party leader Jimmy Akesson wants the government to go further, swearing new citizens to pledge their allegiance to Sweden.

However, that was not specified in the government’s inquiry recommendations.

Interviewer Kirsty Laakso Utvik said the changes would bring Sweden closer to other European countries.