Swedish for Immigrants (SFI): free lessons for residents

Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) is the free Swedish programme that municipalities run for adults who do not have Swedish as their native language. Americans who move to Sweden and register in the Swedish Population Register are eligible on the same terms as anyone else. This guide covers who qualifies, how to enrol, the three-year limit introduced in 2026, what comes after SFI, and how the highest SFI course counts toward Swedish citizenship. It draws on Informationsverige.se, the site run by Sweden's County Administrative Boards, and on Skolverket and the Swedish Migration Agency.

What SFI is

SFI teaches basic Swedish: speaking, reading and writing. You also learn about Swedish society. The programme is free of charge. In the Swedish school system, Skolverket's Utbildningsguiden lists SFI as part of adult education, alongside Komvux (municipal adult education at basic and upper secondary level) and folk high schools.

Who can study SFI

You are entitled to SFI from 1 July of the year you turn 16 if you:

• lack basic knowledge of the Swedish language; and
• are or will be registered in the Swedish Population Register.

There is no separate rule for Americans. The deciding factor is population registration, not nationality.

### Why registration matters

Population registration is handled by the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). People moving to Sweden are generally registered if they plan to live here for at least one year, and registration leads to a personal identity number (personnummer). Someone in Sweden only on a coordination number is not registered in the population register, so they do not meet the second SFI condition. If your move qualifies for registration, apply for it early, because the municipality you are registered in is the one that arranges your SFI.

How to enrol

### Contact your municipality

SFI is arranged by the municipality where you are registered in the Population Register. In certain cases you can study in another municipality, and some folk high schools also offer SFI. The first step is to contact your municipality for information about SFI and how to apply.

### If you are registered with Arbetsförmedlingen

If you are registered with the Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen), contact your employment officer there about SFI instead.

Full-time or part-time

You can study SFI full-time or part-time. Part-time study lets you combine SFI with:

• a job;
• work experience;
• another education, such as upper secondary school or another Komvux programme;
• part-time parental leave.

For Americans arriving on a work permit, part-time study alongside a job is the route the rules make room for.

The three-year limit

From 2026, SFI has a time limit.

### New students

If you register in an SFI programme on or after 1 January 2026, you have three years to complete it, counted from the date you were registered in the programme. That date appears in your individual study plan.

### Students already enrolled

If you were registered in an SFI programme before 1 January 2026, your three years run from 1 January 2026. You must complete the programme by 31 December 2028.

### Extensions

If you do not finish within three years, you may be granted an extension under certain circumstances. You must request it before the three-year period ends, by contacting your SFI teacher or municipality. There must be special circumstances, such as:

• sick leave;
• parental leave;
• a disability;
• interrupting SFI to work or study elsewhere.

The municipality decides whether to grant an extension.

After SFI

### Swedish as a second language

Once you finish SFI, you can continue with Swedish as a second language at Komvux. The study and vocational guidance counsellor at your municipal adult education centre can help with the application.

### Occupational Swedish

Occupational Swedish is a programme adapted to particular industries and professions, teaching the Swedish you need for a specific job. You must be registered with Arbetsförmedlingen, which decides whether you are entitled to attend.

SFI and Swedish citizenship

The Swedish Migration Agency states that applicants for citizenship aged 16 to 66 must have knowledge of the Swedish language and Swedish society. Language proficiency is assessed using the CEFR:

• reading and listening comprehension at level B1;
• speaking and writing at level A2.

Recognised qualifications include a pass grade in the highest level of SFI, a pass in Swedish or Swedish as a second language from municipal adult education, and a pass in the Tisus test.

### The language test

The Migration Agency says the planned Swedish language test may be introduced later than planned. The requirement remains, and for now you can show your knowledge through the qualifications above or, during the transition, another proficiency test such as Swedex. From 31 December 2026, it will no longer be possible to take the Swedex test. Knowledge of society can be shown through school grades in social studies or a citizenship test on Swedish society; the first was held in August 2026.

The main residence rule for adult citizenship is eight years in Sweden, so the SFI three-year window comes long before most Americans become eligible. Completing the highest SFI level within those three years gives you a recognised qualification to keep for the application.

Free practice outside class

Informationsverige.se lists free tools to use between lessons.

### Hej svenska

Hej svenska is a free app with four levels, where level 1 is for beginners. Each level has 10 themes, with reading, writing and listening exercises. It runs on a smartphone through the App Store or Google Play, or in a computer browser, and needs internet access.

### Easy Swedish news

The site links to news in easy Swedish, including Klartext from Swedish Radio, Radio Sweden in easy Swedish, and 8sidor.se, which has news to read and listen to.

### Words and pronunciation

There are also videos with Swedish words and terms, pronunciation practice for Swedish letters, and links to dictionaries.

Healthcare while you learn

You do not need to wait until your Swedish is good to use healthcare. 1177 explains that you can get help from an interpreter at healthcare and dental visits. Tell the clinic you need one when you book. The interpreter is free.

Extra tutoring

SFI groups follow a set pace. Some learners add one-to-one lessons to work on speaking or on the Swedish they need at work. Platforms such as online Swedish tutors on italki let you book short, frequent sessions and bring real letters, forms and texts to class.

Common questions

Is SFI free for Americans in Sweden? Yes. SFI is free of charge for anyone who lacks basic Swedish and is or will be registered in the Swedish Population Register.

How do I sign up for SFI? Contact the municipality where you are registered. If you are registered with Arbetsförmedlingen, contact your employment officer.

How long do I have to finish SFI? Three years from the date you are registered in the programme. Students registered before 1 January 2026 must finish by 31 December 2028.

Does SFI count toward Swedish citizenship? A pass grade in the highest SFI course is one of the qualifications the Migration Agency accepts as proof of Swedish language knowledge.