Proposed Stricter Rules for Family Immigration in Sweden

A recent proposal by Sweden's Migration Minister Johan Forssell outlines stringent new regulations for family immigration, aiming to align Sweden's policies closer to EU standards. According to a report presented on September 5, 2025, individuals seeking to bring family members to the country will now be required to have lived in Sweden for at least two years prior to applying for family reunification. This recommendation is part of a broader effort to curb family immigration to levels that do not exceed EU minimum requirements.

The report also indicates a significant shift in the immigration landscape, as it seeks to expand the criteria under which residence permits can be denied, surpassing existing legal frameworks. The investigator behind the report, Ingrid Utne, emphasized that while these proposed rules may look similar to current ones, they will be more broadly aligned with overarching EU guidelines.