Sweden will implement a policy to increase payments for migrants who leave the country voluntarily. The incentives are expected to rise significantly by 2026.
The current payment of 40,000 Swedish Kronors will be increased to 350,000 Swedish Kronors under the plan.
This policy change, which was announced in September of 2024, is aligned with the goal set by the government to reformulate its immigration framework.
The initiative, which is supported by anti-immigration Sweden Democrats (Sweden Democrats), forms part of an overall effort to reduce the social burden and increase integration.
Increased payments will encourage return migration
Sweden offers a modest incentive to immigrants returning to their homelands. The offer is 10,000 kronor for adults and 5,000 kronor for children, up to a maximum of 40,000 euros per family.
By 2026, payments could reach up to 350.000 kronor.
The adjustment is designed to promote voluntary return, ease pressure on the social services system and foster a migration system that’s sustainable.
This policy is part a larger shift, which includes more stringent entry requirements for workers with low skills.
Compare the return incentive programs of other European countries
Sweden isn’t the only country that offers financial incentives to voluntary return migrants.
Denmark is the leader with a payment of more than $15,000 per individual. Norway provides around $1400 and France offers approximately $2800. Germany offers an incentive of about $2,000
The measures are part of a trend in which European countries provide financial assistance to returning immigrants, allowing them to resettle back into their home countries.
Sweden is planning to increase return payments and tighten the work permit requirements for workers with low skills.
To qualify for a Swedish work permit, by June 2025 immigrants must earn at least 80% the median Swedish wage, which is 35,600 Kronor.
This new law is designed to give priority to skilled workers, and direct opportunities towards domestic workers who can work at lower wages. To ensure that critical services continue to be provided, certain professions such as those in domestic care will not fall under this rule.
Attracting high-skilled immigrants
Sweden’s appeal to highly-skilled immigrants is increasing despite the limitations on workers with low skills.
The proposal for the new Blue Card Directive of the EU aims to increase talent attraction by expanding eligibility and lowering thresholds. The change will be implemented on January 1, 2020.
Sweden’s government has a strategy to increase its competitiveness. It ensures that employers can get the qualified workforce they require.
For the first time since more than 50 years, Sweden has experienced net emigration.
In the period between January 2024 and May 2024 there were 5,700 more departures than arrivals in Sweden, mainly due to stricter immigration laws and fewer asylees.
In a post on social media, the Swedish Ministry of Justice announced that in 2024 there will be fewer asylum seekers than ever before.
This trend is part of a wider movement towards policies that are sustainable and aim to reduce exclusion while balancing integration.
Indians are leading the departures
The increase of Indians who return to Sweden is a notable development in Sweden’s patterns of emigration.
2 837 Indians have left Sweden in the first half 2024. This is a 171% increase compared with the same period of 2023.
Indians are still one of Sweden’s largest groups of immigrants, only second to Ukrainians, in terms of numbers of new arrivals.
After years of growth, the number of Indians arriving in Canada has decreased to 2,461 compared with 3,681 during the same time period last year.
Sweden cracks down on Immigration and Sees Results
Sweden’s more strict stance towards immigration led to an important drop in the number of new arrivals, and a rise in emigration.
According to the Swedish Migration Agency, they expect a continued decrease in asylum requests and an increase in emigration over the next few years.
Early 2024 saw a 15% drop in immigration compared to the previous year, but a 60% increase in emigration.
These policy changes are the result of a change that started in 2015. Sweden recognized a need to control migration following years of excessive intake.
Sweden has undergone a major transformation in its history.
The number of asylum seekers in the country nearly doubled from 2014 to 2015.
Since then, the nation has moved toward a more controlled immigration policy.
Recent government actions in Sweden represent a major shift in the country’s immigration policy, as it places a greater emphasis on integration and economic sustainability than previous humanitarian goals.
The post Sweden now offers big money to get immigrants out: Here’s why and how much may change as new information unfolds.
