Sweden Announces $34,000 for Refugees, Including Somalis, to Return Home

GOOBJOOG NEWS | STOCKHOLM: The Swedish government has announced a cash incentive to refugees including Somalis who choose to return to their home countries.

In the move to be implemented starting 2026, immigrants who voluntarily leave Sweden will be able to receive up to 350,000 Swedish kronor (about $34,000) in grants, according to Channels News.

Sweden is announced the measures as part of a new policy to reduce its migrant population and addressing challenges with integration.

Prime Ministe Ulf Kristersson’s Sweden Democrats party which came to power in 2022 has in recent months advocated for stricter immigration controls.

“We are undergoing a major change in our migration policy,” said Johan Forssell, Sweden’s Minister for Migration, during a press briefing. The policy is part of the government’s broader strategy to curtail immigration.

The Sweden Democrats, now Sweden’s second-largest party with 20.5 percent of the vote, have influenced the government’s stance on immigration.

“We are also enlightened by the fact that Sweden has welcomed a large number of migrants since the 1990s from countries including the former Yugoslavia, Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, and Iraq,” Ludvig Aspling from the Sweden Democrats says.

Consistent Challenges

The country has faced consistent challenges in integrating immigrants into its society and this new grant policy is part of a broader effort to address these integration difficulties and manage migration more effectively.

By significantly increasing financial support for voluntary repatriation, the policy aims to encourage more immigrants to return to their home countries.

During a press conference, Migration Minister Johan Forssell revealed the new policy, stating, “We are in the midst of a paradigm shift in our migration policy.”

The substantial increase in grants,   as reported, is designed to encourage more immigrants to choose voluntary repatriation. Previously, the grant was limited to 10,000 kronor per adult and 5,000 kronor per child, with a maximum of 40,000 kronor per family.