In a significant policy shift, Sweden plans to offer financial incentives to immigrants who voluntarily return to their home countries, with payments reaching up to US$34,000 (350,000 Swedish kronor) starting in 2026. This initiative is part of a broader change in migration policy under the right-wing government, which is supported by the Sweden Democrats. Currently, immigrants can receive up to 10,000 kronor per adult and 5,000 kronor per child, but only one person accepted this offer last year [b886b896].
The Sweden Democrats, who garnered 20.5% of the vote in the 2022 elections, argue that increasing the return grant will encourage more immigrants to leave Sweden, particularly those facing long-term unemployment. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who has been in office since 2022, has committed to tightening immigration policies in response to integration challenges that have arisen since the 2015 migration crisis [b886b896].
This new approach aims to address the difficulties faced by immigrants in integrating into Swedish society, as many struggle to find employment. Other European countries, such as Denmark, offer lower return incentives, with Denmark providing over US$15,000 for similar programs. The Swedish government believes that by increasing the financial support for voluntary return, they can better manage the integration issues and improve the overall situation for both immigrants and the native population [b886b896].
As Sweden navigates these changes, the implications for its immigration landscape and the potential impact on the lives of immigrants remain to be seen. The government's focus on return grants reflects a growing trend among European nations to reassess their immigration policies in light of economic and social challenges [b886b896].