Sweden offers some immigrants up to 350,000 kronor to leave voluntarily

Since January 2026, Sweden has been offering financial assistance of up to 350,000 Swedish kronor, approximately $37,000, to certain immigrants holding residence permits who choose to leave the country permanently. The measure has become a campaign issue ahead of parliamentary elections on September 13.

The program specifically targets individuals who obtained a permit for protection reasons before September 12, 2024. For couples, the assistance can reach 500,000 kronor, with a maximum of 600,000 kronor per household, according to the Swedish Migration Agency.

Ulf Kristersson’s government significantly increased this aid on January 1, stating its intention to facilitate the return of individuals who no longer wish to remain in Sweden. The government has also tightened controls to limit fraud and improper payments.

According to Reuters, 171 individuals had accepted this aid since the beginning of the year. The policy is backed in particular by the Sweden Democrats, a nationalist party that supports the governing coalition and seeks to advance the so-called “remigration” policy.

A tightly regulated program

The aid is not available to all foreigners living in Sweden. It targets specific categories of residents who are currently or have previously benefited from protection, as well as certain family members. Swedish citizens are not eligible, nor are those wishing to settle in another European Union country, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland.

Individuals from Ukraine under the European temporary protection regime for Ukrainian refugees are also excluded from the scheme. The Swedish Migration Agency further specifies that applicants must not have previously received similar assistance and must be able to prove that they will be admitted to the country where they intend to settle.

The grant is not paid in full before departure. An initial installment of 20% is paid in Sweden, with the remaining amounts released after departure, and the final portion after fifteen months spent abroad.

Migration takes centre stage in the campaign

This reform comes amid a continued tightening of Sweden’s immigration policy. The government has notably tightened residency conditions and introduced citizenship tests this year, while the number of asylum seekers has significantly decreased compared to the peak in 2015.

With the election days away, political parties remain sharply divided over the measure. The Sweden Democrats say the grants can bring a lasting reduction in immigration, while opponents argue that it results in few departures and primarily serves to polarize public debate.

The number of beneficiaries remains small compared with the foreign population living in Sweden. The scheme has a public budget of 1.3 billion kronor.