About the Government’s prioritisation: Migration and integration

Extensive immigration in recent years has caused major strains on our society. Integration problems now impact most policy areas. For this reason, the Government is overhauling migration and integration policy to create better conditions for successful integration. Sweden offers fantastic opportunities and conditions for everyone to succeed. What is important is not where you come from, but rather the will to be part of Swedish communities and what you are working towards. Swedish communities are held together by the Swedish language, self-sufficiency, the rights and duties associated with citizenship, and respect for Swedish rules, norms and values. Those who come to Sweden must respect our democratic values and live honourably. The expectations and requirements for becoming part of Swedish society must be made clearer and stricter to preserve our open and free society. Those who do not wish to become part of this community should not come to Sweden. 

An orderly migration policy

To establish better conditions for integration and to reduce social exclusion, the Government is taking measures to reduce asylum-related immigration to sustainable levels for the foreseeable future. Those who have received an expulsion order must leave Sweden, either voluntarily or through forced return. The ‘shadow society’ and work-related crime must be combated. Efforts to prevent cheating and abuse of welfare systems are being enhanced.  Government agencies’ conditions to intervene against individuals who commit offences or otherwise pose a threat to our open society will be improved, and it will be possible to expel more of those individuals. 

There are two outcomes for those seeking asylum in Sweden. They will either be granted a residence permit or their application will be rejected. Individuals who are allowed to stay must become part of Swedish society. Those who are notified of expulsion decisions must leave the country. The Government has taken the initiative to introduce a number of changes. This includes a reformed reception system where asylum seekers will no longer arrange their own accommodations and reception centres will be established. Moreover, the Government has provided the government agencies with additional tools to increase the number of returns through measures such as enabling more internal controls of aliens and by establishing return centres. These measures are part of the efforts to identify individuals who do not have the right to reside in Sweden and ensure that they return to their home countries.

Citizenship should be earned – not handed out

The era of casual requirements for Swedish citizenship is over. Being granted Swedish citizenship is something people should feel proud of. Only those who have made an effort to become part of Swedish society and who have lived wholesome lives during their time in Sweden should be granted citizenship. The Government is therefore tightening requirements to make becoming a Swedish citizen more meaningful.

On 1 October 2024, legislative amendments came into force that make the requirements concerning acquisition of Swedish citizenship by notification stricter. The Government has also instructed the Swedish Migration Agency to take further and more robust steps to prevent people who pose a security risk from being granted citizenship as far as possible. A longer period of residence in Sweden will be required and there will be stricter requirements concerning an honest lifestyle and self-support in order to obtain citizenship. Further, the Government is preparing proposals from a separate inquiry that will lead to requirements with respect to Swedish language skills and knowledge of Swedish society. Finally, the Government has received a report proposing that the Instrument of Government be amended to enable the withdrawal of citizenship in certain cases from a person with dual citizenship, e.g. from someone who has bribed their way to citizenship or who has been convicted of an offence that seriously threatens national security. All of these steps are intended to strengthen the status of citizenship.

Labour immigration that makes Sweden more competitive

Swedish businesses become stronger and Sweden becomes more competitive with the ability to recruit highly qualified labour from other countries. The Government’s aim is for more foreign experts, researchers and talents to choose Sweden. For this reason, it has tasked the Swedish Migration Agency with promoting immigration of highly qualified labour through measures such as reduced processing times. The Government has also tasked 11 government agencies with identifying problems and proposing improvements as regards Sweden’s possibilities to attract, establish and retain highly qualified international expertise and other foreign labour that is vital to Sweden’s competitiveness. 

Implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum

In June 2024, the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum was adopted. Control of the external borders will be enhanced. A better system will also be established so as to determine whether applications are unfounded and should be rejected at the EU’s outer borders. Moreover, returns will be prioritised. It is good for Sweden and for European cooperation that the EU is getting its asylum and migration policy in better order. Now it is important that all Member States fully implement the Pact. 

Integration

Sweden has significant integration problems manifested in forms such as unemployment, benefit dependence, criminality, honour-based violence and oppression, and the growth of parallel societies. The new integration policy objective is based on the premise that people residing in Sweden take responsibility for becoming part of Swedish society. Everyone should be self-sufficient, have Swedish language skills, understand how Sweden functions and respect our norms, rules and values.

Self-sufficiency

Today, far too many people born abroad are far-removed from the labour market, especially women. It should always be worthwhile to get a job. Those who receive introduction benefit and introduction supplement or housing compensation have less financial incentive to work compared to others. This can contribute to long-term unemployment and social exclusion. For this reason, an inquiry has been tasked with analysing whether the regulatory framework for various benefits contains sufficiently strong incentives for newly arrived individuals to start working. The Government has also appointed an inquiry to examine a potential benefit ceiling.

The Swedish language

Swedish language skills are in many cases essential for getting a job. The Government will strengthen the instruction in Swedish for Immigrants (SFI) and heighten requirements. In 2023, the Government invested approximately SEK 1 billion in adult vocational education and training. The majority of that investment has gone to education that enables a combination of SFI with vocational education and training. The Government has also given the municipalities the ability to offer SFI to Ukrainian refugees.

Becoming part of society

People who come to Sweden and receive a resident permit here must become part of Swedish society. This is partly about society being clear about how Sweden functions and partly about strengthening important parts of civil society. The Government has therefore provided funding to women’s organisation in areas of social exclusion and invested in sports in vulnerable areas.