Sweden is planning to significantly increase financial incentives for immigrants who voluntarily leave the country, offering up to US$34,000 (350,000 Swedish kronor) from 2026, according to an announcement by the right-wing government. Once considered a “humanitarian superpower” for welcoming refugees and asylum seekers, Sweden has faced challenges integrating many newcomers over the years.
The new financial offer, targeted at those willing to return to their countries of origin, was revealed during a press conference held by the government, which is supported by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats. Migration Minister Johan Forssell emphasized that the country is undergoing a “paradigm shift” in its migration policies, marking a tougher stance on immigration.
At present, immigrants who opt to return home can receive up to 10,000 kronor per adult and 5,000 kronor per child, with a family cap of 40,000 kronor. The proposed increase in payment is expected to encourage more people to take advantage of the program. According to Ludvig Aspling of the Sweden Democrats, the current grant has existed since 1984 but is underutilized, with only one person having accepted the offer last year.
Aspling believes that raising awareness about the grant, alongside the larger payout, could attract interest, particularly among migrants who are long-term unemployed, jobless, or reliant on state benefits. This group is seen as most likely to benefit from the offer.
Despite the government’s ambitions, a recent probe advised against substantially increasing the grant, arguing that the effectiveness might not justify the high costs. Joakim Ruist, who led the inquiry, warned that a large financial incentive could send the wrong message, implying that migrants are unwanted and further complicating integration efforts.
Other European countries also offer financial incentives for migrants to return, though at lower amounts. Denmark offers more than US$15,000 per person, while other nations like Norway, France, and Germany provide smaller sums.
Sweden’s conservative Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, came to power in 2022 with a pledge to get tough on immigration and crime. His minority government is backed by the Sweden Democrats, who have risen in popularity with their anti-immigration stance. In recent decades, Sweden has welcomed large numbers of immigrants, particularly from war-torn regions such as the former Yugoslavia, Syria, and Afghanistan. The 2015 European migration crisis saw Sweden accepting 160,000 asylum seekers, the highest per capita in the EU.
However, the influx of migrants has created challenges, including higher unemployment rates among foreign-born residents and increasing economic inequality. In response, Sweden has gradually tightened its immigration policies over the years, including issuing temporary residence permits and raising the requirements for family reunifications and work visas. The current government is also pursuing measures to simplify the expulsion of migrants involved in criminal activities or behaviors deemed contrary to Swedish values.