Asylum applications to Sweden fell by 30% in 2025 compared to the previous year, the country’s migration minister said on Friday, January 9th—as Sweden prepares for a parliamentary election.
The centre-right minority government, supported by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, took office in 2022 promising tougher migration policies. Since then, asylum requests have dropped by around 60%, according to Migration Minister Johan Forssell.
Speaking at a press conference, Forssell outlined measures aimed at reducing immigration, including stricter rules for citizenship and family reunification, as well as expanded incentives for migrants to return voluntarily to their countries of origin. From 2026, returnees will be eligible for payments of up to 350,000 kronor (€32,595).
Official data shows Sweden granted nearly 80,000 residence permits in 2025, with asylum-related cases making up just 6%. More than 8,300 people left the country voluntarily during the year.
The government plans additional reforms ahead of the September 2026 election, including proposals to revoke citizenship from dual nationals convicted of serious crimes and to deport migrants who fail to meet as-yet undefined standards of “honest living.”
.jpg){kind=link}