The Swedish government is preparing a bold new offer for migrants: up to €32,000 for those who voluntarily return to their country of origin. The move marks a radical shift in Sweden’s approach to tackling its struggling integration policies.
A Major Shift in Migration Policy
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has officially announced a new program set to take effect on January 1, 2026. Until now, migrants were offered just €900 to return voluntarily—a policy that yielded minimal results. According to Rzeczpospolita, only one out of 70 applications was approved in 2023.
Now, Stockholm is following Denmark’s lead and planning to offer significantly more—up to €32,000 per person, a staggering 3,400% increase. “We are essentially copying the Danish model,” Kristersson told Euronews, explaining that the aim is to provide a pathway for those who have not adjusted to life in Sweden.
Integration Challenges
Kristersson has been frank about the shortcomings of integration. “If people who have the right to stay in Sweden fundamentally fail to integrate, they should at least consider returning to their country of origin,” he said.
Figures cited by Rzeczpospolita show that, for the first time in half a century, more people are expected to leave Sweden than settle there. The government also plans to tighten measures against undocumented migrants, including potential passport revocations and stricter requirements for employers.
Kristersson emphasized that shifting public attitudes across Europe are paving the way for tougher migration policies. He highlighted the need for more effective repatriation of those whose asylum claims have been denied—pointing out that, across Europe, around 80% of such individuals remain on the continent despite being ordered to leave.