The language test: UHR's timeline is expected by 30 September

By 30 September 2026, UHR must report a new timeline for the test in Swedish, which under the law must exist by 1 October 2027 at the latest.

Takeaways from this article4 points

• The timeline is here

  On 30 September, UHR proposed that the Swedish test start in autumn 2029. Read the news about the delay to 2029.

• Three steps in the test

  First civics, then reading and listening, and last written and spoken Swedish. Only the first test exists today.

• The language rule applies

  Since 6 June 2026 you show Swedish with grades, sfi course D, Tisus or another test such as Swedex, at levels B1 and A2.

• Choose a route now

  Without a grade or a result, consider sfi course D or Tisus. From 31 December 2026 you can no longer take Swedex.

Update 30 September 2026: UHR has now submitted the report. UHR proposes that the test in Swedish starts in autumn 2029. Read The Swedish language test may be delayed to 2029. The text below describes the situation before the report.

By 30 September 2026 at the latest, UHR must submit a report to the government on the language test for citizenship. This is stated in the government decision U2026/00202 of 5 February 2026. The report must contain an updated timeline and cost estimate for the test in Swedish. Here is what the decision says and what can be expected.

What does the government decision say?

In February 2026 the government changed UHR’s assignment. The citizenship test is to be developed in three stages instead of two:

1. Test in civics (samhällskunskap). To be held for the first time by 17 August 2026 at the latest. That happened on 15 August.
2. Test in reading and listening comprehension in Swedish. To be held by 1 October 2027 at the latest.
3. Test in writing and speaking in Swedish. To be held as promptly, appropriately and cost-effectively as possible.

The decision also moved a reporting deadline. UHR was to have reported on the writing and speaking test by 15 June 2026. Instead, UHR must now, by 30 September 2026, submit an analysis of how the third stage can be carried out, how the tests are to be designed and assessed, and an updated timeline and cost estimate for both stage two and stage three.

Why was the timeline changed?

The government decision refers to what UHR reported on 30 September 2025. Stockholm University, which is helping UHR with the language test, assessed that it is not possible to develop a test in reading and listening comprehension by August 2026. Developing a completely new test takes time and requires several steps for the test to work. The university assessed that the test could be ready in autumn 2028 at the earliest.

The government nevertheless chose to set the deadline at 1 October 2027. The act that introduces the test in reading and listening comprehension, SFS 2026:448, enters into force on 1 October 2027 or an earlier date decided by the government.

What can be expected?

What we know is what the report must contain: a timeline and a cost estimate for stages two and three. We do not know what UHR will write. Three statements currently stand against each other:

• The law and the government decision: 1 October 2027 at the latest.
• Stockholm University: autumn 2028 at the earliest.
• The Migration Agency: the test in Swedish will be offered in autumn 2027 at the earliest.

The report should show which of them holds. We also do not know whether the government will publish the report immediately. We are monitoring regeringen.se and uhr.se and will write a new news item when it is available.

What applies to you until then?

The language requirement has applied since 6 June 2026. You show it with a grade in Swedish or Swedish as a second language, a pass in SFI course D, Tisus or another test at a functional level, for example Swedex. From 31 December 2026 it is no longer possible to take a Swedex test. The level is B1 for reading and listening comprehension and A2 for speaking and writing.

If you already have such a grade or result, you are not affected by when the language test arrives. If you do not: consider whether SFI D or Tisus is the right route for you, instead of waiting for a test that UHR proposes for autumn 2029.

The test in civics is a different test and already exists. We explain the difference in our guide to the language requirement.

Medborgarskapskursen is an independent course. We have no connection to UHR, the Migration Agency or the government.