Who is exempt from the Swedish citizenship test? 2026 rules

There are three ways to be released from the Swedish citizenship test from 6 June 2026: you are under 16 (the knowledge requirement doesn't apply), you have turned 67 (statutory exemption), or you can demonstrate the knowledge another way (school transcripts, SFI course D, folkhögskola or komvux). There is also a specific exemption for those who cannot reasonably take the test due to disability or other personal circumstances. This guide walks through each exemption, what's needed to invoke it and how the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) reviews your situation.

Quick check — am I exempt?

Ask these in order:

• Are you under 16? → The knowledge requirement does not apply to you. No test, no alternative needed.
• Have you turned 67? → You are statutorily exempt from the knowledge requirement.
• Do you have grades from Swedish education (compulsory school / upper secondary / komvux / SFI D / folkhögskola)? → You can meet the knowledge requirement without taking UHR's test.
• Do you have a permanent disability or other circumstances that make the test impossible? → You can apply for exemption from the requirement.

If none of the above applies, you need to take the citizenship test at UHR.

Age boundaries

Under 16

The knowledge requirement in section 11, first paragraph, item 6 of the Citizenship Act applies only to those applying for citizenship as adults. For children under 16, the requirement does not apply — children are assessed under separate rules in section 12 of the Citizenship Act, and knowledge of Swedish society is not a requirement in child cases.

If you are between 16 and 17, the knowledge requirement applies if you apply for citizenship in your own right. Different principles apply to children applying together with their guardians.

Have turned 67

The statute is explicit: "The requirement in the first paragraph, item 6, does not apply to anyone who has turned 67." That means if you have turned 67 at the time of application, you are fully exempt from the knowledge requirement — you don't need to take the test or demonstrate the knowledge in any other way.

Migrationsverket's information summarises this more pedagogically as "applicants between 16 and 66" being covered by the requirement — the meaning is the same as the statute's 67-year boundary.

Exemption for disability or personal circumstances

The statute provides a specific exemption ground: an applicant "who has not demonstrated the knowledge under section 11, first paragraph, item 6, may be naturalised only if, due to a disability or other personal circumstances, it cannot reasonably be required". That means you can be exempted from the knowledge requirement, even within the age range, if:

• You have a permanent disability that makes it unreasonable or impossible to take the test (for example certain cognitive or neuropsychiatric conditions, serious illness).
• There are other personal circumstances that make the test impossible — the statute is deliberately open to allow Migrationsverket to assess individual cases.

Exemption is an exception — the default rule is that the requirement applies to everyone in the 16–66 range. To invoke exemption, you normally need documentation from a treating physician, specialist or other authority that substantiates the circumstance.

Accommodations — before exemption

Before Migrationsverket grants full exemption, it's common for UHR to try to offer accommodations for the test. UHR has stated that information on accommodations (for example for disability) will be published "shortly" ahead of the pilot test in August 2026.

Possible accommodations could include:

• Extended test time.
• Adapted test environment (quiet room, breaks).
• Technical aids (magnification, screen reading).

If accommodations aren't enough for you to take the test in a meaningful way, Migrationsverket can grant exemption on that basis.

Alternative knowledge paths — skip the test without exemption

You don't need to take the citizenship test if you have already demonstrated the knowledge another way. Migrationsverket's information lists four accepted alternatives:

• Swedish school transcripts from compulsory school, upper secondary school or komvux showing sufficient civics.
• A passing grade on SFI course D (Swedish for Immigrants, course D being the highest).
• Equivalent passing courses from a folkhögskola (folk high school).
• (For the language test later — passing Swedish proficiency through any of the above.)

In practice: anyone who has finished Swedish compulsory school or upper secondary school meets the knowledge requirement without needing to take UHR's test. That's why the test primarily applies to people who moved to Sweden as adults without prior Swedish schooling.

What counts as "sufficient" civics?

Migrationsverket has not published detailed guidelines on which course grades are enough. General guidance:

• Compulsory school: Passing leaving grade in civics (or equivalent for foreign schooling validated against Swedish).
• Upper secondary: Passing course in civics (Samhällskunskap 1a1 or higher).
• Komvux: Equivalent upper secondary level.
• SFI: Passing course D (the closing course).

If you're uncertain — submit your application with the grades and let Migrationsverket assess. If the grades aren't enough, you'll get a letter telling you to register for the test.

How Migrationsverket reviews exemption

When you apply for citizenship, Migrationsverket assesses each requirement individually:

1. Age is checked against the population register.
2. Knowledge requirement is reviewed in three steps:
   • Are you under 16 or over 66? → Exempt.
   • Do you have grades that document the knowledge? → Requirement met without test.
   • Otherwise → You are referred to take UHR's test.
3. Exemption is reviewed on your application — you have to invoke it explicitly and document the basis with relevant evidence.

Migrationsverket makes a reasonableness assessment. It's not enough that the test is unpleasant or hard — exemption requires that it "cannot reasonably be required" that you take it.

What if I'm uncertain?

Three concrete tips:

1. Gather your documentation. School transcripts, SFI grades, folkhögskola certificates, medical records for relevant disability. Migrationsverket decides in your individual case.
2. Submit your citizenship application. Migrationsverket reviews the knowledge requirement and tells you whether you need to take the test or are exempt / meet the requirement another way.
3. Prepare in parallel. If it's uncertain whether your grades are enough — start practising on medborgaretest.se in parallel. That way you're ready when the test invitation arrives.

More in the full requirements picture for Swedish citizenship 2026 and the complete guide to the citizenship test 2026.

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Sources: Proposition 2025/26:175 – Tightened requirements for Swedish citizenship; Migrationsverket – New rules for Swedish citizenship from 6 June 2026; UHR – About the citizenship test.