15/06/2026
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15/06/2026
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STOCKHOLM, Jun 15: Sweden’s parliament has passed a controversial law allowing authorities to revoke residence permits from immigrants based on “bad behaviour,” including unpaid debts, undeclared work, tax non-compliance, or alleged links to extremist organisations.
The legislation, backed by the right-wing coalition government and the Sweden Democrats, forms part of a broader tightening of immigration rules ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections in September. Under the new law, both pending and previously granted residence permits can be reviewed and withdrawn, with the Swedish Migration Agency responsible for assessments and migration courts handling appeals.
The government says the measure is intended to ensure that individuals who “do not make the effort to do the right thing” are not allowed to remain in the country, according to Minister of Migration Johan Forssell.
However, the law has drawn criticism from opposition parties and human rights groups, who argue that it introduces legal uncertainty and allows decisions based on conduct that is not necessarily criminal. Stockholm-based rights group Civil Rights Defenders warned that the law could undermine the rule of law and leave residents uncertain about what behaviour could affect their legal status.
The government maintains that the reform is aimed at strengthening compliance and reducing abuse of the immigration system, while critics say it risks expanding state discretion in ways that could affect legal protections for immigrants.
