Sweden wants to increase migrant return payments by 3,400%
Photo: Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (Getty Images)
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has announced plans to dramatically increase payments to migrants who voluntarily return to their home countries, raising the amount from €900 to €32,000. The move is part of Stockholm's effort to bring migration under control, reports Euronews.
Kristersson explained that Sweden currently pays €900 per adult to migrants who decide to return to their home countries. But the initiative has had limited success. According to the Swedish Migration Agency, just one of 70 applications was approved in 2023.
To increase interest among migrants in voluntary return, the Swedish government decided to raise the subsidy by 3,400%, bringing it to €32,000. Kristersson said he is taking inspiration from neighboring Denmark.
"We are copying basically the Danish model and raising that sum pretty significantly to make it easier for those who realise that they would prefer to go back to their own country, they do not, for different reasons, feel that they find a well-functioning life in Sweden," he said.
At the same time, the Swedish Prime Minister acknowledged that many might not support the idea. However, he believes that migrants who are unable to integrate into Swedish society will at least consider returning to their country of origin. The new policy is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
Earlier, Swedish Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer announced Stockholm's intention to revoke citizenship in cases of espionage or threats to national security. The government is already preparing relevant amendments to Sweden's constitution.
