Swedish government launches investigation to encourage voluntary return migration for immigrants

In October 2023, the Swedish government launched an investigation aimed at proposing ways to encourage more individuals residing in Sweden, with ties to other countries, to voluntarily return to their home nations. The government emphasized that this initiative primarily targets individuals who have not integrated into Swedish society, particularly in areas such as self-sufficiency, language skills, or cultural factors.

Today, Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard received the report from investigator Joakim Ruist. One significant recommendation is to allow immigrants who have obtained Swedish citizenship, as well as family reunification immigrants, to apply for the existing return migration grants.

Support for return migration has been available in Sweden since 1984. Currently, individuals wishing to return can receive financial support of 10,000 SEK, with a family cap of 40,000 SEK. There is also a provision for travel cost reimbursements. However, the investigator did not recommend increasing the current grant levels. In the report, Ruist noted that “the potential direct public financial benefit is likely relatively small, while there might be a significant risk of societal and economic harm that is considerably larger.”