Sweden to deport migrants who don't adhere to 'honest living'

Stockholm’s new approach, a gradual shift over the past decade, is a significant departure from its former reputation as one of Europe's most welcoming destinations for migrants.

Public approval for the open doors policy crumbled following the 2015 migrant crisis, when large numbers of asylum seekers arrived.

Huge migration numbers and rising gang-related violence, often linked to immigrant communities, have fuelled concern among Swedes and prompted successive governments of both political persuasions to tighten asylum regulations.

Stockholm’s centre-right governing coalition, backed by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, took office in 2022 with pledges to adopt a harder stance on migration.

It is now accelerating reforms before parliamentary elections scheduled for September.

"Following laws and rules is a given, but it must also be a given that we do our best to live responsibly and not harm our country," Mr Forssell stressed.

Refusing to settle outstanding debts, failing to comply with official decisions, and defrauding the welfare system would all constitute grounds for revoking permits under the new system.

"If, for example, you ignore paying your debts, if you don't comply with decisions from Swedish authorities, if you cheat the benefits system, if you cheat your way to a Swedish residence permit... then you do not have the right to be here," Mr Forssell declared.

Working whilst evading tax obligations and neglecting to pay fines were also cited as grounds for removal.

Beyond the "honest living" requirement, the Swedish government's proposal would expand the circumstances under which permits could be cancelled.

This includes cases where migrants are deemed to pose a security threat or have provided false information in their original applications.

Ludvig Aspling, the Sweden Democrats' migration policy spokesman, addressed concerns about how the new rules would be applied in practice.

"Statements - that is, things a person says or expresses - should not in themselves be regarded as evidence of lack of honest living, but they may be an indication of, for example, links to violent extremism, which can then be a sign of deficient character," he told reporters.

Efforts to curtail the stream of migrants into Sweden have evidently borne some fruit.

Asylum applications fell by 30 per cent between 2024 and 2025, whilst the Swedish Migration Agency issued 79,684 residence permits last year.

Just six per cent were granted for asylum purposes compared to 18 per cent in 2018.

To encourage departures, migrants voluntarily returning home from 2026 can now receive up to 350,000 kronor, approximately £28,000.

Last year, 8,312 individuals departed Sweden to return to their home countries, and the government is also examining whether dual nationals convicted of crimes could have their Swedish citizenship revoked.

Sweden's successful efforts to cut immigration have been seen mirrored across Europe.

Germany has seen illegal immigration drop to its lowest level in over a decade after implementing stricter border controls, with first-time asylum applications between January and November 2025 totalling 106,298, less than half the previous year's figure.

Denmark’s centre-left Government announced in January the latest of its immigration restrictionist policies, stipulating that foreign nationals receiving prison sentences of a year or more for serious offences such as aggravated assault and rape would be deported.

Copenhagen’s approach has also served as an inspiration for the migration and asylum reforms touted by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

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