As Election Looms, Sweden’s Government Is Paying Immigrants to Leave
The 1.3 billion-crown program has drawn 171 takers so far as Sweden tightens migration rules before next week’s election.
- On September 8, Sweden's government confirmed it is offering non-EU residents up to $37,000 to leave the country, a policy launched in 2026 ahead of the September 13 election.
- Years after accepting 163,000 asylum seekers in 2015—the second-highest per capita in Europe—Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's coalition government, which took power in 2022, is prioritizing this 're-migration' agenda.
- Despite a 1.3 billion Swedish crown budget, only 171 people have accepted the cash offer this year. Bram Frouws, director of the Mixed Migration Centre, called the proposal "mainly symbolic," saying "it's about signaling how tough they are on migration."
- Alongside cash incentives, the government has tightened residency rules and introduced mandatory citizenship tests in August. Migration Minister Johan Forssell said these requirements underline the "value of citizenship" and that it came with both rights and demands.
- Polls ahead of the September 13 election show an almost equal split between the government and opposition in a country of 10.6 million, where 2 million are foreign-born. European Parliament lawmaker Mary Khan-Hohloch welcomed the initiative as interest in 're-migration' grows across Europe.
20 Articles
20 Articles
In Sweden, the debate over the immigration crisis ahead of the elections has divided the country. The current government is offering $36,000 to non-EU citizens who agree to leave the country voluntarily.
Before the elections, the Swedish government began paying immigrants to leave
Before the elections, the Swedish government began paying immigrants to leave.Just 10 years ago, the country accepted 163,000 asylum seekers, the second highest per capita rate in Europe. By 2025, this number has dropped by 96%.Since the beginning...
As election looms, Sweden's government is paying immigrants to leave
The Independent
The Independent (US)Sweden pays foreign residents £27k to leave amid right-wing immigration crackdown
Sweden was once known for welcoming migrants – but attitudes have changed over the past decade
Sweden Offers Immigrants Up to $37,000 to Leave the Country
Sweden is offering some immigrants as much as 350,000 Swedish kronor, or about US$37,000, to voluntarily leave the country, marking one of Europe’s sharpest reversals on migration policy after years in which the Nordic country was known for relatively generous asylum rules. The expanded “repatriation grant,” which took effect Jan. 1, applies to certain people […]
In Sweden, the debate over the immigration crisis ahead of the elections has divided the country. The current government offers 350,000 Swedish krona (approximately 1.75 million Turkish lira) to non-EU citizens who agree to leave the country voluntarily.
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