The Swedish government has announced plans to significantly increase financial incentives for immigrants who choose to voluntarily return to their home countries. This move is aimed at encouraging more migrants to repatriate, starting in 2026. Eligible immigrants will be able to receive up to 350,000 Swedish kronor, which is approximately $34,000, if they opt to return home.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy by Sweden’s right-wing government, backed by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, to promote voluntary repatriation. Migration Minister Johan Forssell, during a press conference, stated, “We are witnessing a paradigm shift in our migration policy.”
Currently, the Swedish government offers immigrants up to 10,000 kronor per adult and 5,000 kronor per child, with a family cap of 40,000 kronor. However, this grant has been available since 1984 and remains largely underutilized. Ludvig Aspling, a representative of the Sweden Democrats, highlighted that the current grant is relatively unknown and its modest amount has led to limited usage. He believes that increasing the size of the grant and raising awareness will encourage more immigrants to take advantage of the offer.
The decision to increase the financial grant comes despite a government-appointed investigation advising against such a significant hike. The probe suggested that the benefits of increasing the grant may not justify the potential costs involved.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who took office in 2022 with a minority coalition supported by the Sweden Democrats, has made addressing immigration and crime a key priority. Since the 1990s, Sweden has welcomed migrants from various conflict-stricken countries, including the former Yugoslavia, Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, and Iraq. However, the country has struggled with integrating many of these newcomers.
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