Sweden Proposes Stricter Welfare Requirements for Immigrants Starting 2027

The Swedish government, in collaboration with the Sweden Democrats, has proposed new regulations that will impose stricter requirements on immigrants seeking access to welfare benefits. These reforms, set to take effect on January 1, 2027, aim to restrict immediate access to a range of social benefits for newcomers.

Under the proposed rules, immigrants will need to have lived in Sweden for five years before qualifying for benefits such as child allowance, housing allowance, parental leave, and sickness benefits. The residency requirement also considers time spent living in other EU countries, mainly impacting non-EU nationals. A fast-track option is available for newcomers who meet certain income thresholds — either earning at least 40,032 SEK a month for six consecutive months or 20,850 SEK monthly in 12 of the last 24 months. This allows some immigrants to access benefits sooner if they demonstrate self-sufficiency.

Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson stressed that access to Sweden’s social insurance system should not be automatic from day one. “It is reasonable that they do not have it, but that they should qualify,” she stated during a press conference, emphasizing the government's intent to ensure newcomers demonstrate integration and economic participation before receiving benefits. Statistics reveal that unemployment is more than double for individuals born outside Sweden and the EU, which partly motivates the reform.

The government intends these changes to discourage asylum seekers motivated primarily by the prospect of welfare benefits. Ludvig Aspling of the Sweden Democrats noted that the reform signals to asylum seekers considering Sweden that benefits will not be freely and immediately available, encouraging them to look to other countries.

However, the proposal is not without criticism. Opposition voices, including Malte Tängmark Roos from the Green Party, warn the changes risk deepening poverty and social exclusion, particularly among tens of thousands of children in immigrant families. Roos argued there is no solid evidence that immigrants lack motivation to work, suggesting the reform could have adverse social consequences.

The reform will only affect immigrants arriving after January 1, 2027; current residents and those already integrated will not be impacted. Economic support, including assistance and personal help, will continue unchanged for those in need. This policy shift reflects a concerted effort by the Swedish government to balance support with incentives for self-sufficiency among new immigrants.