Overview of the main changes since the previous report update

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The report was previously updated in May 2025.

International protection

National context

• Key asylum statistics at first instance: In 2025, 6,737 preliminary applications for international protection were lodged in Sweden, representing a 30% decrease compared to 2024. Applications have been declining steadily since 2022, with the total decrease from 2022 to 2025 amounting to 60%. Most first-time applications were lodged by nationals of Afghanistan (707), Syria (544), Iran (372), Iraq (329) and Eritrea (294). At first instance, the in-merit rate was 35%, a decrease from 40% in 2024. The recognition rate for Afghans was 70%, an increase from 64% in 2024. The recognition rate for Syrian nationals was 51%, a substantial decrease from 84% in 2024 and 2023. The backlog of pending cases at the end of 2025 was of 2,511 cases, a significant decrease from 3,971 cases in 2024. The average length of proceedings decreased slightly from 187 days in 2024 to 180 days in 2025. 7,447 subsequent applications were lodged in 2025, particularly from nationals from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan (see Statistics).
• The Pact on Migration and Asylum (the Pact): The Government appointed an inquiry on 21 November 2024 to review the need to adapt Swedish legislation in line with the Pact instruments concerning asylum procedures and screening, including mechanisms for monitoring fundamental rights. The inquiry submitted its report to the Government on 24 November 2025, and consultation bodies were given until 7 January 2026 to analyse and comment on its contents. This represented an unusually short consultation period for legislation of such scope and was criticised, among others, by the Swedish Human Rights Institute, who stated that it considered several of the proposals presented in the inquiry to constitute general and serious restrictions on the rule of law and on human rights.
  On 6 May 2026, the Government submitted its final legislative bill concerning the implementation of the Pact. The bill includes, inter alia, provisions on screening procedures at the external border, the introduction of border procedures in asylum cases, amendments related to the new Eurodac system, and mechanisms for monitoring fundamental rights during screening and border procedures. The legislative amendments are proposed to enter into force, for the most part, on 12 July 2026, i.e. one month after the Pact becomes applicable. It nevertheless remains unclear how the authorities will handle cases during the interim period between 12 June 2026 and 12 July 2026. Overall, the general response from the consultation bodies indicates that the proposed legislative changes could have significant consequences for asylum seekers. In particular, there appears to be limited analysis of the potential impact from the perspective of the applicants themselves. Certain changes may substantially restrict procedural rights and create challenges in ensuring full compliance with Sweden’s international obligations. While the proposals aim to implement the Pact efficiently, they raise concerns regarding the protection of individual human rights and the adequacy of safeguards within the proposed legislative framework.
  The Council on Legislation (Lagrådet), in its opinion on the Government’s legislative proposal, raised significant criticism regarding the legislative process. It noted that the proposals lack overall coherence, that the consultation period was unacceptably short, and that comments and criticism submitted during the referral process were scarcely addressed. According to the Council, much of the legislative work also appears to have been guided by the Tidö Agreement[1] — the political agreement between the governing parties and the Sweden Democrats.
  The Council further stated that an overly simplified view of refugee migration had resulted in proposals that were insufficiently scrutinised and lacking in the democratic legitimacy that the referral procedure is intended to ensure. In its view, the preparatory process was therefore affected by serious deficiencies.
  The Council also repeatedly emphasised that the Government appeared to approach the EU Pact in an overly mechanical manner, losing sight of the fact that the rules concern human beings. In this regard, the Council stated: “What common humanity requires is admittedly an ethical question, but as regards the individual’s right to be recognised and thereby treated as a refugee, the principles of proportionality that permeate the European Convention on Human Rights and otherwise characterise the legal order must be taken into account”[2] (see ANNEX II – EU Pact on Migration and Asylum).
• The Government platform agreement – Tidö Agreement: In 2025, several legal amendments stemming from the Tidö Agreement came into effect and several government inquiries concerning other restrictions were completed. The Government intends to implement the announced legislative changes agreed upon under the Tidö Agreement before the general election on 13 September 2026. A selection follows in the sections below.

Asylum procedure

• General conditions: During 2025, the Government presented two major inquiries aimed at reducing rights to a minimum level while remaining formally compliant with Sweden’s international obligations.
  The first part of the inquiry proposed the removal of the possibility for persons holding asylum-related residence permits to be granted permanent residence permits, replacing them with exclusively temporary permits This approach would also extend to family members granted residence permits on the basis of family ties to beneficiaries of international protection in Sweden. The inquiry further proposes restrictions on the role of legal representatives, limiting the mandate of publicly appointed legal counsels at first instance to one hour of legal advice, with full representation only reinstated at the appeal stage. The inquiry further seeks to expand the grounds on which asylum applications may be dismissed and to increase the number of cases classified as manifestly unfounded.  The Government bill was published on 6 May 2026. The proposed legislative amendments are intended to enter into force on 12 July 2026, with the exception of the amendments relating to the new Reception Act, which are proposed to enter into force on 2 October 2026. Parliament has not yet voted on the proposals.
  Taken together with the Government referral on the implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the Swedish migration system is facing major changes during 2026.
  The second part of the inquiry proposed a legal framework allowing for the revocation of existing permanent residence permits and their replacement with temporary permits. All of the proposals have been met with criticism from consultation bodies; however, the proposal to revoke permanent residence permits has particularly been subject to strong criticism from both consultation bodies and the media. Due to the significant opposition that the proposal on the revocation of residence permits has faced, the Government has stated that it intends to postpone the proposal until the next parliamentary term (see Regular procedure).

• The situation for undocumented migrants: On 12 March 2025, the Swedish Parliament adopted a bill introducing several changes: (i) an extension of the period during which a return decision remains valid, (ii) longer re-entry bans, and (iii) the removal of the possibility to switch from an asylum application to a work permit application. One consequence of the extended validity period is that a return decision now will remain enforceable for as long as the individual remains in Sweden. Previously, such decisions were subject to a limitation period of four years, making the new system a departure from the earlier regime. Another consequence is that individuals who have switched tracks from an asylum application to a work permit will no longer be able to extend their permits. The Swedish Migration Agency estimates that approximately 4,700 people may face difficulties renewing their work permits as a result of this change in legislation. The bill entered into force on 1 April 2025, and does not include any transitional provisions, meaning that the amendment also applies to return decisions and work permit applications issued before that date.
  As of early 2026, the Government has indicated its intention to proceed with a legislative proposal introducing reporting obligations for certain public authorities. While healthcare, schools and social services remain exempted, the proposal expands obligations for other authorities and strengthens internal immigration controls. No final bill has been adopted as of May 2026.

• Resettled refugees: As decided in the Tidö Agreement, Sweden lowered the number of resettled refugees accepted from 5,000 in 2022 to 900 the per year the consecutive years. 861 refugees were resettled to Sweden during 2025.
• Stricter requirements regarding conduct for residence permits: In February 2026, the Government presented a legislative proposal in the form of a referral to the Council on Legislation introducing stricter rules on expulsion on account of criminal offences. The proposal provides for expanded possibilities to refuse and revoke residence permits, as well as to order expulsion, on the basis of criminal conduct. It introduces a more far-reaching assessment of an individual’s behaviour, where both the seriousness of the offence and the risk of continued criminal activity are to be given increased weight. Examples cited include unwillingness to pay debts, abuse of the welfare system, or other forms of non-compliance with regulations. It may also concern close associations with criminal networks or violent extremist organisations. In addition, the proposal provides for lowering the threshold for expulsion in cases of criminal offences and reducing the weight given to an individual’s ties to Sweden in the proportionality assessment. It also provides that a wider range of offences may lead to expulsion, including cases where the sentence does not reach the thresholds that are currently established.
  On 4 May 2026, the Government submitted the final legislative bill. The legislative amendments are proposed to enter into force, for the most part, on 13 July 2026 (see Residence permit).

Reception conditions

• Housing: According to the Tidö political agreement, the migration legislation will be subject to comprehensive changes with the aim of restricting the rights of asylum seekers to a minimum level in accordance with international obligations (see Housing).
• Legislative changes regarding reception conditions: The first step in the Government’s reform of the reception system entered into force on 1 March 2025 for individuals submitting a new asylum application, and on 1 September 2025 for those already registered in the reception system. Prior to this, asylum seekers had generally been free to choose and arrange their own accommodation if they did not wish to reside in facilities operated by the Swedish Migration Agency. From the dates above, however, residence in a designated reception centre became a condition for receiving the daily allowance. The Swedish Migration Agency is also granted additional authority to verify that asylum seekers reside at the designated accommodation and to withdraw the right to accommodation and financial assistance from individuals who fail to maintain contact with the authorities. Additionally, a statutory obligation is introduced for asylum seekers to participate in a societal introduction program.
  In February 2026, the Government presented a legislative proposal in the form of a referral to the Council on Legislation for a new Act on the reception of asylum seekers. The proposal introduces a more restrictive regulatory framework governing reception conditions.
  The proposal includes strengthened obligations for asylum seekers, such as participation in attendance checks at their accommodation, compliance with reporting obligations to the Swedish Migration Agency, and restrictions requiring individuals to remain within the county where the assigned accommodation is located. Non-compliance with these obligations, including leaving the assigned county, may result in a reduction of the daily allowance.
  To align Swedish regulations with the EU’s minimum standards regarding the reception conditions for asylum seekers, the proposal is to introduce a six-month time limit before asylum seekers gain access to the labour market. The proposal also includes a change in how the daily allowance is calculated, using a system of percentage of the national standard for income support instead of a fixed number (which will, most likely, raise the allowance).It further suggests reinstating the right to accommodation and daily allowance to all individuals subject to a deportation order, which would improve conditions for adults facing deportation (as, currently, adults without minor children generally lack entitlement to accommodation and allowances when they have enforceable deportation orders). The legislative changes are proposed to enter into force on 1 October 2026.

Detention of asylum seekers

• Detention: On 23 March 2026, the Government submitted a legislative proposal regarding supervision and detention. The bill confirms extended maximum time limits for detention, expanded grounds for detention, the introduction of electronic monitoring as an alternative measure, and enhanced powers for the Swedish Migration Agency to use coercive measures in specific situations.
  Criticism of the proposals has, among other things, concerned the suggested expanded detention options and duration for children, the extended maximum time limits for adult detention, and the granting of authority to the Swedish Migration Agency to use handcuffs or other restraints in cases of violent behaviour.
  The legislative changes are proposed to take effect on 21 July 2026 (see Detention of Asylum Seekers).

Content of international protection

• Family reunification: On 5 September 2025, a Government inquiry presented proposals for stricter conditions on family reunification. The proposals include, inter alia, the introduction of a waiting period before an application for family reunification may be lodged in certain cases, the extension of maintenance requirements to a broader range of situations than under the current framework, and a restriction of the possibilities for exemptions from the existing maintenance requirement. As a general rule, the maintenance requirement would also be assessed upon applications for extension of residence permits.
  Furthermore, the category of family members eligible for residence permits would be limited in certain respects, and the scope for refusing residence permits on family-tie grounds in cases not governed by EU law would be expanded. The inquiry proposes that the amendments enter into force on 1 January 2027, while providing that the proposed waiting period should not apply to cases initiated with the Swedish Migration Agency prior to the entry into force.
  The proposals have been subject to public consultation, and the final Government Bill is expected to be presented in June 2026. However, already on 6 October 2025, the Government and the Sweden Democrats announced their intention to proceed with those elements of the inquiry’s proposals that entail stricter requirements (see Family reunification).

• Citizenship: On 29 April 2026, Parliament voted in favour of amending the rules on citizenship in Sweden, introducing stricter requirements for acquiring Swedish citizenship. The legislative change includes, inter alia, an extension of the required period of residence from five to eight years, stricter requirements relating to good conduct, and the introduction of a requirement of financial self-sufficiency. It further provides for the introduction of mandatory tests in the Swedish language and in civic knowledge as conditions for acquiring citizenship. In addition, the proposal entails stricter rules regarding the assessment of criminal conduct, including longer waiting periods before individuals who have committed offences may be granted citizenship.
  The adopted changes departs from the inquiry’s recommendation regarding transitional provisions and provides for that the legislative amendments shall enter into force without such provisions, meaning that they may also affect applications submitted prior to the entry into force. This is particularly noteworthy in light of the criticism directed at the Swedish Migration Agency by the Parliamentary Ombudsman (JO) and the Chancellor of Justice (JK) concerning prolonged processing times in citizenship cases. The legislative amendments will enter into force on 6 June 2026. However, the amendments concerning the citizenship test in Swedish reading and listening comprehension at a functional level are proposed to enter into force on 1 October 2027, or on an earlier date determined by the Government. The remaining amendments relating to the Swedish language citizenship test are proposed to enter into force on a date to be decided by the Government (see Naturalisation).

• On 18 March 2026, a Government inquiry presented proposals introducing the possibility to revoke Swedish citizenship in certain circumstances. The proposal provides that Swedish citizenship may be withdrawn from individuals holding dual nationality who have acquired citizenship through incorrect or misleading information, or who have been convicted of particularly serious crimes. The proposed framework emphasises the need for a proportionality assessment in each individual case and includes specific safeguards, such as consideration of the best interests of the child. It is further proposed that children may, under certain conditions, also be affected by a decision to revoke citizenship, provided that this does not result in statelessness.
  The proposal is linked to ongoing constitutional amendments and would require changes to the Instrument of Government before it can enter into force. In an initial vote held on 20 May 2026, the Swedish Parliament voted in favour of the proposal. A second vote during the next parliamentary term will therefore be required. The inquiry suggests that the legislative changes could enter into force at the earliest in 2027–2028 (see Naturalisation).

• Work permit: On 18 March 2026, the Swedish Parliament adopted the Government’s legislative proposal on stricter rules for labour migration. Among other measures, the proposal raises the minimum salary threshold for work permits from 80 to 90 percent of the median salary, corresponding to SEK 33,390 per month (approximately EUR 3,160 at the exchange rate as of January 29, 2026). The Government is also granted the authority to determine exemptions and to exclude specific occupational groups. Professions in which there is a serious risk of abuse of the labour immigration system may be excluded from eligibility for a work permit. Following this, the Government have tasked the Swedish Migration Agency, in cooperation with the Public Employment Service, with proposing which occupations may be exempted from the proposed minimum salary requirement for labour immigration. The Swedish Migration Agency and the Public Employment Service submitted their report on 20 March 2026, proposing a list of occupations that could be exempted from the new salary threshold for labour immigration. The proposal includes occupations where there is an established labour shortage that cannot be met within Sweden, or within a particular part of Sweden, and where the minimum salary under collective agreements or established practice falls below the proposed salary threshold. On 22 May 2026, the Government adopted an ordinance amendment and published the list of occupations that are either exempt from the work permit requirement or subject to a lower income threshold. The new rules and the increased requirements will enter into force on 1 June 2026 (see Employment and education).
• Repatriation: In its 2025 budget proposal, the Swedish Government proposed a substantial increase in the voluntary repatriation for 2026, raising it to SEK 350,000 per person (with a maximum of SEK 600,000 per family). As of 29 January 2026, this corresponded to approximately EUR 33,121 per person (and EUR 56,778 per family). While the parliamentary committee acknowledged that high financial incentives could increase return rates, it also warned that such measures risk undermining integration efforts. Despite this, the Government proceeded with the proposal.
  The option to apply for the grant was introduced on 1 January 2026. Eligibility is subject to several conditions, including that the applicant was granted an asylum-related residence permit on or before 12 September 2024 and intends to settle permanently in another country. The granting of the repatriation grant may result in the revocation of the individual’s residence permit by the Swedish Migration Agency. In the event of a subsequent return to Sweden, the individual may become liable to repay the grant (see Return procedure).

Temporary protection

For further information, see Annex on Temporary Protection.

• The Temporary Protection Directive has been transposed into Swedish law and can be found in Ch. 21 of the Aliens Act.
• Key temporary protection statistics: In 2025, the Swedish Migration Agency registered 9,674 first time applications for temporary protection. In comparison, the Swedish Migration Agency registered 10,646 applications in 2024. Of those applications, 9,623 were Ukrainian nationals. The remaining applications came from third country nationals from more than 20 different countries, the second largest nationality being Russian with 12 applicants. The Swedish Migration Agency took decisions in 9,888 first time applications, and of those examined on the merits (9,349), 9,172 (98%) were granted a residence permit and 149 applications were rejected.

Temporary protection procedure

• Asylum and expulsion enforcement: In its judgment of 20 November 2025 in Case C-195/25 (Framholm), the Court of Justice of the European Union held that the Temporary Protection Directive, read in conjunction with the Qualification Directive and the Asylum Procedures Directive, precludes Member States from rejecting an application for subsidiary protection solely on the ground that the applicant has been granted temporary protection.
  Following this judgment, the Swedish Migration Agency issued an updated legal position in December 2025, confirming that individuals granted temporary protection may apply for and have their claims for both refugee status and subsidiary protection examined . Where such status is granted, the temporary protection permit must be withdrawn and replaced by a residence permit based on international protection.
  In 2025, the Swedish Migration Agency took decisions on 304 asylum applications from Ukrainian nationals. Out of those examined on the merits, 17 applications (11 %) were granted residence permit.

• Scope of temporary protection: In December 2023, the Government decided to extend the personal scope of temporary protection to include all persons legally staying in Sweden before 22 December 2023, if they belong to the categories of persons mentioned in article 2.1 of the Council implementing decision (EU) 2022/382 of 4 March 2022. Thereby, Ukrainian nationals who applied for asylum prior to 30 October 2021 and have thereafter been staying legally in Sweden are also included in the personal scope of the temporary protection. In 2025, no legislative adjustments were made regarding the personal scope of the temporary protection.
• Provisions on temporary protection take precedence over other grounds for residence permits. Consequently, individuals who qualify both for temporary protection and for a residence permit based on family ties are, as a rule, granted a permit under temporary protection rather than family reunification. In 2025, the Swedish Migration Agency adjusted its position, stating that persons previously granted temporary protection may, in exceptional circumstances, apply for and be granted family reunification while remaining in Sweden. As a general rule, however, applications based on family ties must be submitted from outside Sweden.

Content of temporary protection

• Financial support: Temporary protection holders are provided with financial support at the same low level as asylum-seekers, which has not been increased since 1994. They are also only entitled to healthcare that cannot be postponed, which is the limited extent to which asylum seekers have the right to healthcare (see Reception Conditions – Healthcare). In 2024, it became possible for some holders of temporary protection permits to register as residents in Sweden, giving them the full rights of other holders of residence permits in Sweden who are registered as residents. Earlier in 2024, the Swedish Government prepared a new law giving temporary protection permit holders the possibility to register as residents after one year with a temporary protection permit in Sweden. This proposal came into force on 1 November 2024. However, the social rights of persons who registered as residents after this date are restricted and are given less rights than those who registered as residents before the new law (see Temporary Protection Annex).

[1]  ‘Tidöavtalet – Överenskommelse för Sverige’, available in Swedish here.

[2]  Lagrådet, Lagrådsremiss – Utmönstring av permanent uppehållstillstånd och anpassning av svensk rätt till EU:s migrations- och asylpakt, our translation, available in Swedish here.