Sweden’s government announced on Thursday that it would significantly increase grants for immigrants who choose to leave the country.
As of 2026, immigrants who voluntarily return to their home countries would be eligible to receive up to 350,000 Swedish kronor ($34,000), up from the current 10,000 kronor.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell stated, “We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in our migration policy.”
Ludvig Aspling of the Sweden Democrats added, “The grant has been around since 1984, but it is relatively unknown. It is small, and relatively few people use it.” He also said.
“If more people were aware of the grant and its size was increased, more would likely accept the offer.”
The announcement came despite a government-appointed probe advising against a significant increase in the grant amount, citing that the expected effectiveness did not justify the potential costs.
Conservative Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson had promised to counter immigration and crime after coming to power in 2022 with a minority coalition government supported by the Sweden Democrats. The Sweden Democrats had emerged as Sweden’s second-largest party with 20.5 percent in the general election.
