What Explains Differences in Immigration Policy in Today’s Europe? Germany, Sweden and Hungary

This paper examines how national identity, geopolitical factors, and the 2015/16 refugee crisis have shaped immigration policies in Germany, Sweden, and Hungary, highlighting the broader European divide on immigration. Germany, known for its humanitarian values, initially adopted an open-door policy under Chancellor Merkel but later shifted toward more restrictive measures due to rising populism, security concerns, and resource limitations, particularly through the 2020 Immigration Act. Sweden, once a model of liberal immigration policies, faced challenges in social cohesion and integration, leading to a tightening of asylum rules and family reunification restrictions. In contrast, Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has maintained a hardline anti-immigration stance, using the crisis to reinforce Hungary’s national identity and reject EU solidarity efforts. The paper also explores the EU’s principle of solidarity, as outlined in Article 80 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which calls for fair burden-sharing. However, the Visegrád Group’s resistance highlights how national interests often outweigh EU-wide agreements, revealing the limits of EU cohesion and the complexities of balancing national security, identity, and humanitarian obligations. The paper concludes by advocating for more flexible immigration policies that can address both domestic and broader geopolitical challenges.