By; Vančo K. Tegov
At the beginning of this year, Sweden significantly increased financial assistance for those who wish to voluntarily return to their country of origin. For an adult, up to 350,000 Swedish kronor, approximately €32,000, is provided, and for an entire household up to 600,000 kronor.
The measure, which took effect on 1 January 2026, has already attracted considerable interest in the first few weeks. According to the Swedish Migration Agency, by mid‑February 272 applicants had requested this assistance, of whom 82 applications had already been rejected.
Who can receive the money?
Although this measure is often described as paying migrants to leave Sweden, it is not available to all foreigners living in the country. Those eligible are individuals who hold a valid Swedish residence permit granted based on protection, for example refugees or persons granted subsidiary protection, and who also meet additional criteria. As a rule, they must have been issued a residence permit before 12 September 2024.
The money can be received for relocation to the person’s country of origin or another country where they have the right to reside, but not for relocation to another EU, EEA, or Swiss state.
The new rules have brought a massive increase in incentives.
How much do they receive?
An adult can receive up to 350,000 kronor (approximately €32,000). A married or unmarried couple can receive up to 500,000 kronor, while the maximum amount for an entire household is 600,000 kronor (around €55,000).
For each child, an additional 25,000 kronor (about €2,300) is provided. Before the increase, the compensation amount was much smaller – an adult could receive only 10,000 kronor. Sweden has therefore increased the amount 35‑fold.
Swedes have finally realised, after many years of letting everyone into the country without any kind of “filter”, that this cannot continue indefinitely. They concluded that by accepting people without clear criteria, Sweden was no longer gaining new Swedes but simply losing more and more of Sweden. Former “new Swedes,” who despite proven lack of integration never truly blended into society, have now been given the opportunity to live according to their own ways or return to their roots.
How does Slovenia do it?
Slovenia has a well‑established, legally regulated and internationally aligned system for assisting foreigners in returning to their home country. This assistance includes two main forms: voluntary return, which is prioritised and most strongly supported, and forced return.
The voluntary programme includes logistical assistance such as arranging travel documents, purchasing airline or other travel tickets, and organising the entire journey. In addition, foreigners receive financial reintegration support, meaning the state not only covers travel costs but also provides non‑refundable funds for a new start. These funds are earmarked and can be used in the home country to start a small business, pursue education, vocational training, healthcare, or temporary accommodation.
When voluntary return is not possible and the foreigner does not leave the country within the legal deadline, the police (the Centre for Foreigners) carry out forced removal. Slovenia strictly follows the EU Return Directive, which requires rigorous and independent oversight of these procedures. Monitoring of legality and respect for human rights during forced returns in Slovenia is carried out by the independent NGO Slovenska Karitas under an official contract.
And this is precisely where various civil initiatives, full of “humanitarianism”, often appear and obstruct these procedures. Some far‑left activists and even politicians with such leanings join forces with these, in many cases harmful, individuals who have in fact “earned” their departure. I must emphasise that Slovenia is among the countries that are “emotionally” too open, largely thanks to these left‑leaning philanthropists. A bit of light at the end of the tunnel is emerging with the arrival of the current government, which is tightening conditions from the outset and later also regarding possible family reunification requests. Whether this will succeed or whether Slovenia will again succumb to EU pressure is a question we will pay special attention to in the future.
Why is Sweden unique?
European countries such as Germany, France, or Norway offer significantly lower cash amounts (mostly between €1,000 and €2,500), with the rest provided as material assistance upon return. Sweden’s right‑wing government (supported by the Sweden Democrats) introduced this drastic increase as a “paradigm shift”. The main goal is to reduce pressure on the social system by financially motivating the departure of long‑term unemployed foreigners who, in their assessment, have not managed to integrate into society.
It would be nice if we Slovenians were, in some respects, a bit more like the Swedes, for our own benefit and for the benefit of future generations!