Can grades replace the Swedish citizenship test? What applies right now
Can you skip the Swedish citizenship test by taking a course instead? Short answer: yes, the knowledge requirement can be proven with grades. Longer answer: exactly which courses will be accepted is not yet decided, and that is worth understanding before you pay for course books or plan a whole term. We asked Migrationsverket directly, and their answer is below.
Bli Svensk is independent study material, not a government authority. Official decisions come from Migrationsverket and UHR.
The requirement has two parts, proven with different grades
Since 6 June 2026, citizenship applicants aged 16 to 66 must show knowledge of both Swedish society and the Swedish language. The parts are proven separately:
| Part | Tested through | Can instead be proven with |
|---|---|---|
| Civics | The citizenship test (first sitting 15 August 2026) | A passing grade in samhällskunskap (civics) or basic social studies subjects from year 9, upper secondary school, komvux or folkhögskola at upper secondary level |
| Swedish | A separate language test (planned for autumn 2027 according to Migrationsverket) | A passing grade in Swedish or Swedish as a second language from year 9 or upper secondary school, the highest SFI course (course D), Tisus or equivalent |
The most common misunderstanding first: SFI course D does not let you skip the citizenship test. The SFI grade counts toward the language requirement. Civics is its own part, proven with a civics grade.
We asked Migrationsverket: which course is enough?
At upper secondary level there are several civics courses: 1a1 (50 points), 1a2 (50 points) and 1b (100 points). Which one counts? We put the question directly to Migrationsverket in July 2026. Their answer, translated:
“Migrationsverket cannot recommend any specific courses. Exactly which courses will be accepted still needs to be coordinated with, among others, Skolverket. It is therefore not yet fully decided which courses will be accepted. At present no advance ruling can be given; it will be an individual assessment by the responsible case officer.”
In practice this means three things. No specific course is guaranteed today, not even the full course 1b. No school, course provider or Facebook group can promise that a certain course is enough, because the authority itself cannot. And the answer in your case comes only when a case officer assesses your application.
Which course to choose, if you study anyway
The courses differ like this: 1a1 (50 points) is read on vocational programmes, 1a2 (50 points) builds on 1a1, and 1b (100 points) is the full course read on university-preparatory programmes. 1a1 plus 1a2 together correspond to 1b.
Our reasoning, clearly labeled as reasoning: since civics from year 9 of grundskolan is on Migrationsverket’s list, it is hard to see the full upper secondary course 1b being rejected. If you take a course anyway, 1b, or 1a1 plus 1a2, is the safest choice. But “safest” is the strongest word available until the course list is decided.
Practical: studying civics as an adult
You apply for komvux through your home municipality, and it is generally free of charge; you normally pay only for course literature. Courses are run by the municipality or contracted providers such as Hermods and NTI, often with flexible start dates and distance study. Expect roughly one term per course, depending on study pace. Folkhögskola at upper secondary level is an alternative with a different study format.
Test or course? The honest comparison
The test: the criteria are published (about 60 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes, no minus points), the first sitting was free, and a pass is an unambiguous receipt. The uncertainty: the pass mark is not published, and when we asked directly, UHR replied (July 2026) that the number of retakes and any waiting period between sittings are not yet decided.
The course: no exam stress, and a grade that has value in itself, but it takes months, and above all it is not decided which courses will be accepted. Starting a course now means starting with some uncertainty.
We do not recommend one route over the other; the right choice depends on your time, your study habits and your case. The one thing that can be said with certainty is that the test is currently the only route with fully published criteria.
Exemptions exist too
Some applicants are exempt from the knowledge requirement entirely, including for certain disabilities and special circumstances. Migrationsverket decides in each individual case. The full 2026 rulebook is in our overview: Swedish citizenship 2026: all the new requirements.
Further reading
- Swedish citizenship test 2026: everything you need to know
- Swedish citizenship 2026: all the new requirements
- (Official) migrationsverket.se and uhr.se/medborgarskapsprovet
We will update this page when Migrationsverket publishes which courses are accepted.
Frequently asked questions
Can you skip the Swedish citizenship test?
Yes. The knowledge requirement can be met with a passing grade in samhällskunskap (civics) instead of the test, for example from year 9, upper secondary school, komvux or folkhögskola. But exactly which courses will be accepted is not yet decided, and Migrationsverket assesses each case individually.
Does SFI course D let you skip the citizenship test?
No. SFI course D counts toward the language requirement, which is a separate part tested later. The citizenship test covers civics, and that part is proven with a civics grade, not an SFI grade.
Which civics course is enough: 1a1, 1a2 or 1b?
Not yet decided. When we asked directly, Migrationsverket replied (July 2026) that exactly which courses will be accepted is still being coordinated with Skolverket, that no advance rulings are given, and that each case is assessed individually. If you study anyway, the full course Samhällskunskap 1b is the safest choice.
Is komvux free?
Municipal adult education (komvux) is generally free of charge; you normally pay only for course literature. You apply through your home municipality, and courses are run by the municipality or contracted providers such as Hermods and NTI.
Do I still have to take the language test later?
The language requirement is a separate part. It can be proven with grades, for example Swedish or Swedish as a second language from year 9 or upper secondary school, SFI course D, or Tisus. If you cannot prove it with grades, a separate language test awaits, planned for autumn 2027 according to Migrationsverket.
What if my course is not accepted?
Migrationsverket gives no advance rulings; the responsible case officer assesses each application individually. If your grades are not accepted, you are offered the citizenship test instead. The test is currently the only route with fully published criteria.