The Swedish government has announced plans to offer substantial grants of up to 350,000 kronor (£34,000) to immigrants who voluntarily leave the country from 2026.
Daily Report Nigeria reports that the increase in financial support aims to encourage more immigrants to choose voluntary repatriation, marking a “paradigm shift” in Sweden’s migration policy.
The initiative, revealed by Migration Minister Johan Forssell, is part of a broader effort to address integration challenges and manage migration more effectively.
Previously, the grant was limited to 10,000 kronor per adult and 5,000 kronor per child, with a maximum of 40,000 kronor per family.
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Ludvig Aspling, from the Sweden Democrats, welcomed the change, suggesting that increased visibility and value of the grant could lead to a higher uptake.
Meanwhile, Minister for Gender Equality Paulina Brandberg announced a review of Swedish legislation to determine grounds for revoking residence permits, citing “shortcomings in lifestyles” and threats to basic Swedish values.
The government’s stance on immigration has been influenced by the Sweden Democrats, now the country’s second-largest party. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has made immigration and crime reduction central to his agenda, and this new policy is seen as a key part of that effort.
Sweden has faced consistent challenges in integrating immigrants into its society, having welcomed a large number of migrants since the 1990s.
This radical plan is part of a broader effort to address those difficulties and manage migration more effectively.
