Sweden's center-right government is introducing a new voluntary remigration policy aimed at reducing the number of unintegrated migrants in the country. Starting in 2026, migrants who have failed to integrate into Swedish society will be eligible to receive 350,000 Swedish kronor (approximately €31,000 or $33,000) to return to their home countries. This initiative is designed to address ongoing challenges posed by mass immigration, which many Swedes believe has contributed to rising crime rates and social unrest.
The remigration plan was initially proposed by Maria Stenergard, the then Minister of Migration, and was recently endorsed by her successor Johan Forssell. Both ministers have emphasized that the policy will be open to a wide range of migrants, including those who have already obtained Swedish citizenship. Forssell stated that the government must distance itself from the liberal immigration policies of previous administrations, which he claims created significant societal issues. “We cannot go back to the policies that caused such difficulties,” he remarked, stressing the importance of tackling Sweden’s immigration crisis head-on.
The “humiliation robbery” trend in Sweden and Denmark is a disturbing rise in humiliation crimes, where migrants, target ethnic Swedes and Danes for violent attacks designed to degrade and humiliate. Victims are not just robbed or assaulted—they are forced to endure acts meant to… pic.twitter.com/HB8xU3o4nW
— European Heritage Society (@EuropeanHerSoc) September 7, 2024
The right-wing Sweden Democrats, who have heavily influenced the government's approach to migration, have long pushed for stricter policies. They argue that Sweden's previous open-border policies have exacerbated problems, particularly the rise in gang-related violence, which has shaken the country's reputation for safety. Just last year, Sweden saw its highest-ever death toll from shootings, many linked to migrant-dominated gangs.
This remigration scheme is not the first of its kind in Europe. Countries like Germany have also experimented with paying migrants to leave. However, Sweden’s offer is one of the highest financial incentives seen so far. In contrast, Germany's similar initiative involved paying convicted criminals, including child rapists, €1,000 to leave, but on a much smaller scale.
Rise:
“Europe's lefties bash migrants (nearly) as well as the hard right… crossing the political spectrum”
“Europe Takes a Trumpian Turn”
“Sweden to pay immigrants up to US$34,000 to go back to home country
Scandinavian nation…struggling to integrate many of its newcomers” https://t.co/LiSHb6uj0v pic.twitter.com/LoFjkRVOJb
— Prodigal (@ProdigalThe3rd) September 13, 2024
The Swedish government has paired the remigration plan with other efforts to stem the tide of immigration. Earlier this year, they announced more stringent family reunification laws, including income requirements and DNA testing, to ensure familial ties are legitimate.
Additionally, recent reports indicate that Sweden is experiencing net emigration for the first time in five decades. However, some critics argue that these figures have been manipulated through accelerated naturalizations to obscure the true scale of migration.
Sweden’s shift from a welcoming destination for refugees to one taking a harder stance on immigration reflects a broader trend across Europe. Countries that once promoted open borders are now grappling with the consequences, including rising crime, social friction, and growing populist movements that demand stronger national security. Swedish leaders like Forssell are responding to these pressures by promising to "restore order" and address the impacts of decades of liberal migration policies.
The move has sparked debate, with some applauding the government for addressing integration failures, while others criticize the financial cost of incentivizing migrants to leave. It remains to be seen whether this remigration plan will help mitigate Sweden’s social challenges or become another chapter in Europe's ongoing struggle with immigration.
