Sweden’s right-wing government has unveiled plans to enhance financial incentives for immigrants who choose to depart the country. Potential payments of up to US$34,000 will commence in 2026. This move is a possible catalyst for positive change in Sweden’s immigration landscape.
The move signals a significant shift in Sweden’s migration policy, which has been marked by years of generous asylum and integration efforts.
Historically regarded as a “humanitarian superpower,” Sweden has struggled to integrate its large immigrant population, many of whom came from war-torn nations such as Syria, Afghanistan, and Somalia. Migration Minister Johan Forssell said, “We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in our migration policy,” as the government tightens immigration rules.
Under the proposed plan, immigrants who return to their countries of origin would be eligible for payments of up to 350,000 Swedish kronor (US$34,000), a significant increase from the current cap of 40,000 kronor per family. The current program, which has been in place since 1984, is underused, with only one individual accepting the grant last year.
The government, supported by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, hopes the increased incentive will encourage more long-term unemployed or state-dependent migrants to take the offer. Critics warn that raising the grant could signal that migrants are unwelcome, further complicating integration efforts.
Sweden joins other European nations, such as Denmark, France, and Germany, that offer financial incentives to migrants who voluntarily return home, though the Swedish grant would be among the highest.
This policy is part of broader efforts by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s government, which came to power in 2022, to tighten immigration controls and address unemployment and social inequality among immigrants.
