Sweden has announced plans to significantly boost financial incentives for immigrants who voluntarily return to their home countries. Starting in 2026, the initiative will offer up to 350,000 Swedish kronor (approximately ₹28.7 lakh) to encourage more immigrants to return. Once regarded as a “humanitarian superpower,” Sweden has struggled to integrate many of its newcomers in recent years.
According to AFP, Migration Minister Johan Forssell announced that starting in 2026, migrants who choose to voluntarily return to their home countries will be eligible for a payment of 350,000 Swedish kronor (approximately $34,000).
Forssell described this policy as part of a “paradigm shift” in Sweden’s migration strategy.
Currently, the financial support system offers up to 10,000 kronor (around ₹82,000) per adult and 5,000 kronor (around ₹41,000) per child, with a maximum of 40,000 kronor (around ₹3.28 lakh) per family.
Ludvig Aspling of the Sweden Democrats remarked, “This grant has been available since 1984, but it is relatively unknown, small, and used by few.” He believes that increasing awareness and the grant amount will likely lead to more people taking up the offer.
The decision to increase the grant comes despite a recent government investigation that advised against a major increase, arguing that the potential benefits did not justify the costs.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who assumed office in 2022, has pledged to tackle immigration and crime.
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