Would you ever consider becoming a Swedish citizen?

Ever week we ask a panel of readers to give their views on a particular issue concerning the international community. This week we wonder whether the panelists are keen to get their hands on a Swedish passport.

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Nabeel Shehzad

If I had the chance to become a Swedish citizen, I would definitely take it. A great social system, ease of movement in Europe and the rest of the world, good healthcare, advanced technologies, excellent transportation and a very un-biased society all contribute to making Sweden an excellent country.

Though there are some concerns, like high taxes (sometimes you have to pay tax on tax), a very cold winter season, and so on, the benefits of living in Sweden as a Swedish citizen far outweigh the negatives.

Carrying a Swedish passport makes it easier for international travel and earns the holder a respect which unfortunately is not afforded to some of the passports from developing countries.




Claudia Tenenblat

Not only would I consider it, I am already counting the time until I will be eligible for citizenship. Being Brazilian, holding dual citizenship will make my life easier when crossing borders and living in Europe.

Other than that, my son will also automatically receive a Swedish passport when I receive mine, as he will still be a minor, and that opens up a lot of possibilities for his future.

I know that my views about Sweden are quite unpopular among immigrants, who often complain bitterly about their host, but I think Sweden is very generous towards immigrants and offers us many benefits such as SFI (Swedish for Immigrants), free university education, healthcare and various subsidies with no strings attached.

I don't know of any other country that does the same. And although I am aware that Sweden is very far from paradise and I will never surrender my "Brazilianness", I am very happy with the choice I made about moving here and will be thrilled when I become a citizen.




Robert Flahiff

Whoo, this is a question I have had rattling around my head for some time, as I am eligible for Swedish citizenship in the near future.

Now, this is a subject that will expose my ignorance of things legal, but I am under the impression that I am able to carry dual citizenship (in my case, American/Swedish), although neither country really likes the idea of a person having two passports and countries of citizenship.

I guess the real question is whether it is worth it - it would be kinda cool to travel to a few places with a Swedish passport where Americans traditionally have trouble, like Cuba for example.

But how often, if ever, will I get there? Unknown. And if I choose not to be a full-on Swedish citizen, what potentially will I be losing out on in the future, other than the right to vote in national elections? Pension problems? Healthcare for the elderly ? Social services? I just don't know.

This is a topic that actually could be given much more exploration and clarification, so we all may avoid the pitfalls and have a chance to see what would be the best possible option for a person, based on the country they have emigrated from.

But, to answer the question: yes, I would consider it, most likely as an insurance policy rather than a point of patriotism.




Tiffany Hoffman

Voluntary dual citizenship is discouraged by the American Immigration Board (and sometimes leads to the loss of American citizenship), so I'd be hesitant to risk applying for Swedish citizenship.

And, since the majority of the benefits of being a Swedish citizen are granted to those who have permanent residence permits, there's really no driving force to become a full citizen.

By maintaining my American citizenship, the kids that I plan to have in the next ten years or so with my Swedish mate will automatically be both Swedish and American citizens. They'll have more choices, and maybe they can run for the Riksdag, since I can't.




Marcus Cederström

Would you ever consider becoming a citizen of another country?

This is a tricky one for me. I have both an American passport and a Swedish passport. I blame my parents for that completely.

So the answer would have to be yes. I would definitely consider becoming a citizen of another country. And of Sweden for that matter.

Mostly because that's just the way I grew up. Having the ability to move very freely throughout Europe on my Swedish passport is amazing. And having the ability to forgo long lines and finger printing in the US just by showing my American passport is hard to beat.

The benefits of dual citizenship have allowed me to travel easily throughout Europe. It allowed me to pick up and leave, not having to consult the Migration Board on what was necessary to move to Sweden. All in all, I can't imagine not having dual citizenship.

But if anyone can offer me another passport, maybe to a South American country, which allows me to keep both my American passport and my EU passport, I'm all ears.




Sanna Holmqvist

Would you ever consider becoming a citizen of another country?

That is a very tough one to answer especially since I, like many other Swedes, haven't had to give it too much thought.

I have never been in any situation where being a Swedish citizen was an obstacle. So, would I? I suppose the answer is: probably, if there was something very important to gain from it that I wouldn't get otherwise.

If being a Swedish citizen stopped me from living with the person I wanted to live with, or something similarly important, then maybe. I wouldn't do it just like that, not very easily, absolutely not.

And I wouldn't do it just because I happened to live in another country. It would definitely have to be for a very important reason.