Sweden’s government is moving ahead with a major tightening of its migration system, proposing to abolish permanent residence permits and make temporary stays the default.
Under a draft law set to take effect on July 12, migrants granted asylum or other forms of protection would no longer be eligible to transition to permanent residency after a set period. The change would apply broadly, including refugees, those in need of subsidiary protection, and resettled migrants.
The proposal also removes eligibility for permanent residence in cases involving “exceptionally distressing circumstances,” family ties, or situations where deportation cannot be enforced.
The move builds on earlier reforms introduced after the 2015 migration crisis, when Sweden shifted toward more restrictive asylum rules.
At the same time, the government is preparing separate changes to family migration laws, following controversy over so-called “teenage deportations,” where young adults face removal despite their parents remaining legally resident in the country.
