OSLO: NATO’s Vilnius summit in July should give approval for Sweden to become a member of the organization, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere told foreign correspondents in Oslo on Monday.

Sweden’s path to NATO membership

Here you will find information about what Sweden’s path to NATO membership involves. You can also read about why Sweden has applied for NATO membership and what NATO membership will mean for Sweden.

Why has Sweden applied for NATO membership?

It is the Government’s assessment that joining NATO is the best way for Sweden to protect its security. The decision was taken in the light of the fundamentally changed security situation following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The decision was preceded by a report (Ds 2022:7) by the cross-party working group appointed by the Government to review the changed security situation following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

What does Sweden’s status of invitee country entail?

Until all NATO countries have ratified Sweden’s application for NATO membership, it has the status of invitee country. Sweden is now gradually being integrated into NATO’s structures.

As an invitee country, Sweden participates in all aspects of NATO activities except for matters concerning nuclear weapons within the framework of the Nuclear Planning Group. As a NATO Invitee, Sweden does not have the right to vote.

What economic impact will NATO membership have on Sweden?

As a NATO member, Sweden will be expected to provide staff to NATO’s political and military structures. Moreover, Sweden will be expected to contribute approximately SEK 600–700 million per year to NATO’s common budget.

It is also the stated target that the organisation’s members commit a minimum of 2 per cent of GDP to defence spending, in accordance with NATO’s Defence Investment Pledge that was adopted at NATO’s Wales Summit in 2014. Sweden continues to invest in defence and will reach NATO’s current level of 2 per cent of GDP by 2026.

NATO members also aim to allocate at least 20 per cent of defence spending for defence material and research and development.

Which countries have so far ratified Sweden’s Accession Protocol for NATO membership, and when?

5 July 2022: Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Norway

6 July 2022: Estonia, United Kingdom

7 July 2022: Albania

8 July 2022: Germany

12 July 2022: Netherlands, Luxembourg

13 July 2022: Bulgaria

14 July 2022: Latvia, Slovenia

15 July 2022: Croatia

20 July 2022: Lithuania, Poland

21 July 2022: Belgium, Romania

27 July 2022: North Macedonia

28 July 2022: Montenegro

2 August 2022: France

3 August 2022: Italy, United States

27 August 2022: Czech Republic

15 September 2022: Greece

16 September 2022: Portugal

21 September 2022: Spain

27 September 2022: Slovakia

4 April 2023: Finland

The timeline above indicates the date of ratification by NATO Allies. To take effect, ratification instruments must be deposited with the United States Government.