The Swedish government has announced a substantial increase in financial grants for immigrants who voluntarily choose to return to their home countries, set to take effect in 2026.
Immigrants will be eligible for up to 350,000 Swedish kronor ($34,000) as part of the new policy. This represents a major shift in Sweden’s migration approach, spearheaded by the right-wing government supported by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell described this as part of a “paradigm shift” in Sweden’s migration policy. Previously, migrants received a maximum of 10,000 kronor per adult, 5,000 kronor per child, with a 40,000 kronor cap per family.
The increase is expected to encourage more immigrants to accept the grant, which has been underutilized since its inception in 1984.
However, the announcement came despite a government-appointed probe recommending against a significant increase, citing concerns about the cost-effectiveness of the measure.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has prioritized stricter immigration controls since taking office in 2022, with the Sweden Democrats playing a crucial role in his administration.
Sweden has faced ongoing challenges in integrating immigrants, having accepted large numbers of migrants from conflict zones since the 1990s.
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