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EUROPEAN UNION

Applications for Swedish passports from Brits increased threefold in 2016

The number of Brits applying to become Swedish citizens increased dramatically in 2016, with more than three times as many doing so compared to the year before.

Published: 13 March 2017 09:45 CET
Applications for Swedish passports from Brits increased threefold in 2016
Swedish passports. Photo: Fredrik Sandberg/TT

In December 2016, figures supplied to The Local by the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) showed that a total of 1,082 British nationals applied for Swedish citizenship in the period between the Brexit referendum on June 23rd, and December 12th.

Now, figures for the entirety of 2016 reported in Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter (DN) show that 1,521 Brits applied for Swedish citizenship that year – more than three times the amount of applications from Brits submitted in 2015, which was 441.

And the trend is showing no sign of stopping. During the first two months of this year, 328 Brits have applied for Swedish citizenship. Normally, the number would be around 30 applications per month.

According to Migrationsverket it can take up to a year to process citizenship applications, but waiting times are expected to decrease during 2017.

SWEDISH CITIZENSHIP

Cost of Swedish passports set to rise by 25 percent

The cost of getting a Swedish passport is set to be hiked by 25 percent on May 1st.

Published: 29 April 2024 14:10 CEST
Updated: 30 April 2024 09:46 CEST
Cost of Swedish passports set to rise by 25 percent

The price will be raised from 400 kronor to 500 kronor.

According to a government press release, the higher fee is necessary to “maintain the level of service” and ensure that the police authority’s revenue from the fees covers the cost, as passport operations are funded by fees.

So in other words, if you’re about to get or renew your Swedish passport, get it done now if you can. You often have to wait weeks for an appointment, but it’s sometimes possible to get a last-minute slot if people cancel their appointments.

PASSPORTS, TAXES AND SWIFTIES:

In Stockholm, for example, when The Local looked on Monday, there were still a few open slots in Norrtälje before May 1st, but nowhere else in the region. In Skåne, there was one available in Trelleborg, and in Västra Götaland there were slots available in Åmål, Stenungsund and Skövde on April 29th and 30th, but none closer to Gothenburg.

The higher fee will apply for all appointments on or after May 1st, even if you booked them before that date.

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