Sweden’s center-right coalition government, supported by the national-conservative Sweden Democrats, has unveiled a new policy offering substantial financial incentives for migrants to voluntarily return to their countries of origin. The program proposes payments up to SEK 600,000 (approximately $61,000) per family, marking one of the most generous “return grant” initiatives in Europe.
Under the proposed scheme, individual adults could receive SEK 350,000 ($35,974), couples up to SEK 500,000 ($50,933), and families an additional SEK 25,000 ($2,490) per child under 18, capped at SEK 600,000. To qualify, migrants must agree to resettle permanently outside the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland. Recipients who return to Sweden after accepting the grant would be required to repay the funds.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell stated that the policy aims to provide an opportunity for individuals who feel excluded or have not integrated into Swedish society to start anew elsewhere.
“This is about giving people who feel excluded or who haven’t found a place in Swedish society the opportunity for a dignified return and a new beginning elsewhere. But this won’t be a free ticket. If they return to Sweden, they’ll be required to pay the money back,” Forssell stated.
The initiative responds to ongoing challenges with migrant integration, particularly among those with permanent residency who remain outside the workforce or social mainstream. Migrants from Islamic countries have been noted to rely on Sweden’s welfare system at higher rates and are overrepresented in violent crime statistics.
Ludvig Aspling, migration policy spokesperson for the Sweden Democrats, highlighted that many migrants have failed to integrate despite long-term residence in Sweden. He argued that voluntary return, supported by financial assistance, could reduce societal costs associated with long-term exclusion.
The current return grant program, offering a maximum of SEK 40,000 (€3,903) per family, has seen minimal participation, with only one migrant accepting the offer in 2023. The new proposal seeks to increase uptake by significantly raising the financial incentive.
If approved by the Swedish parliament, the enhanced return grant program is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.
