Sweden’s government is offering immigrants up to $34,000 to voluntarily return to their home countries starting in 2026. This move is part of a broader shift in the country’s migration policy, aiming to encourage immigrants to leave Sweden and return home with a decent financial cushion.
Key Details:
– Eligibility: Immigrants who voluntarily return to their home countries will be eligible for the payment.
– Amount: Up to 350,000 Swedish kronor ($34,000) per individual or family.
– Current Payment: The current payment is up to 10,000 kronor ($900) per adult and 5,000 kronor ($450) per child, with a family cap of 40,000 kronor ($3,600).
– Rationale: The government believes this will help ease the burden on Sweden’s social welfare system and promote sustainable immigration.
Government’s Perspective:
– Migration Minister Johan Forssell stated that this move is part of a “paradigm shift” in Sweden’s migration policy, aiming to strengthen integration and reduce social exclusion.
– The government argues that this policy will encourage migrants to return home, citing that only one person utilized the current program in 2023.
