Sweden, a European nation long known for its open-arms policy toward migrants, is set to significantly increase its monetary incentive for migrants to return to their home countries, offering over $34,000, which is 35 times the current amount.
The right-wing government of Sweden announced on Thursday that it would boost the incentive from the current 10,000 krona (approximately $978) per adult to 350,000 krona ($34,000) each and simplify the application process to raise awareness and encourage more participants.
While the existing benefit for families is capped at 40,000 krona, or about $3,717, the new plan does not specify a cap for the increased grant.
Set to be implemented in 2026, this policy change contradicts the findings of a government-appointed inquiry which last month advised that such incentives could obstruct migrants’ integration into Swedish society, stating that the “potential gains do not appear large enough to justify the risks.”
This move is part of a broader change in Sweden’s approach to immigration, historically seen as a sanctuary for those escaping conflicts. The country is shifting towards stricter immigration policies, influenced by the rising influence of right-wing and populist parties across Europe.
Supported by the Sweden Democrats, a far-right party that secured a significant number of seats in the 2022 elections, Sweden’s government is tightening its immigration policies. Originally a neo-Nazi group, the Sweden Democrats have rebranded as conservative, with migration control as a priority.
Ludvig Aspling, a Parliament member from the Sweden Democrats, described the revised grant as an effort to reduce bureaucratic obstacles, positioning it as an aid package.
Despite having over 250,000 refugees as of mid-2023, only about 70 applied for the grant last year, with just one successful application, according to Mr. Aspling, highlighting the low awareness of the program. He noted that 16,000 immigrants left Sweden voluntarily last year without needing the grant.
The Swedish government’s recent policy revisions emphasize stricter controls on residence permits and promote repatriation. This change follows an inquiry comparing Sweden’s strategy with Denmark’s, which offers half the grant amount yet has seen some success.
Although the new policy could eventually lead to financial savings, the inquiry concluded that the negative social impact of such a discouraging message would outweigh any financial benefits.
The policy also signals to migrants that they are unwelcome, even to the extent of Sweden willing to pay substantial amounts for their departure, the inquiry noted.
Sweden’s tightening of immigration and asylum rules has increased uncertainty for migrants, complicating their ability to secure formal employment and heightening their risk of falling victim to crime, according to Martin Nyman, a legal adviser at Civil Rights Defenders in Stockholm.
“People should not come to Sweden, that is the signal from this government,” he stated.
Annika Sandlund from the UN refugee agency in the Baltic and Nordic regions remarked that the amount of the grant, whether 10,000 or 350,000 krona, does little to alter the challenging circumstances that refugees face in their home countries.
