Closing the Door to Sweden

The Swedish government has committed to reducing immigration and is increasingly moving toward stricter migration policies and reduced rights for migrants. This article provides an overview of migration policy developments in Sweden during 2024, drawing on a unique database that maps and categorizes migration policy changes from 1954 to the present. The year 2024 saw a mix of restrictive and liberalizing reforms, including tighter asylum reception rules, more demanding citizenship criteria, and expanded access for highly skilled labor migrants under the EU Blue Card scheme. Additionally, temporary protection holders from Ukraine gained improved access to services. Ongoing and upcoming government inquiries signal a continued shift toward more restrictive policies, reflecting a broader realignment in Sweden’s migration governance.