The Swedish government has put forward proposals that would require migrants to adhere to an "honest living" or face deportation. The bill, introduced by the centre-right Moderate Party with support from the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, forms part of a broader wave of reforms ahead of September's legislative elections.
Migration Minister Johan Forsell said obeying laws and rules was a given, but that migrants must also "do our best to live responsibly and not harm our country". He cited examples such as ignoring debts, failing to comply with Swedish authorities, cheating the benefits system, or obtaining a residence permit dishonestly. Working without paying taxes or neglecting fines would also be considered a breach.
If adopted, the legislation would take effect on 13 July and allow authorities to withdraw residence permits. Ludvig Aspling, the Sweden Democrats' migration policy spokesman, said statements alone should not count as evidence of lacking an honest living, but could indicate links to violent extremism, which might reflect a "deficient character".
The plan has drawn criticism from human rights groups, including Civil Rights Defenders. Its legal director, John Stauffer, said taking non-criminalised statements into account raised "particularly serious concerns", potentially chilling free expression and leading to self-censorship. He added that it would create "different rules depending on who you are", contradicting principles of equality before the law.
The move mirrors tightening immigration policies elsewhere in Europe. Earlier this month, UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced refugee status would be granted only on a temporary, renewable 30-month basis, and proposed extending the time required for most migrants to gain permanent residency. Denmark's centre-left government has also said it would expel non-citizens convicted of serious crimes. According to Sweden's Migration Agency, the country granted 79,684 residence permits in 2025, with only 6% asylum-related, compared with 18% in 2018 when 133,025 permits were approved.
