Swedish language courses after the 2026 changes: the three-year limit and exceptions

The three-year period runs from the date you were first admitted to SFI, not from the number of months you actually attended. The clock does not automatically stop because you were not attending for part of the period. The first admission date matters.

State-funded Swedish courses now have a three-year time limit.

From 1 January 2026, the standard right to study Swedish for immigrants runs for three years from the first admission date. The period can be extended for special reasons, and transitional rules apply to people who started earlier.

What you need to know

• The three-year period runs from the date you were first admitted to SFI, not from the number of months you actually attended.
• With special reasons, the municipality can extend the right by up to six months at a time; total extensions can be no more than three additional years.
• For students admitted before 1 January 2026, the transitional period runs from 1 January 2026 through 31 December 2028.
• With special reasons, SFI may be available in another municipality than your home municipality.

What to do

1. Ask your SFI school or municipality which first-admission date is recorded.
2. If you need an extension, contact the municipality before the three-year period ends and explain the special reasons.
3. Keep decisions and correspondence from the education provider.
4. If admitted before 2026, check that the transitional rule through 31 December 2028 is applied.

Important

The clock does not automatically stop because you were not attending for part of the period. The first admission date matters.

Official sources

• Skolverket — Skärpta krav i sfi

Sources checked: 2026-09-11.