The Decision
Parliament voted yes to stricter deportation rules, meaning more crimes will lead to deportation and it will be harder to avoid being sent back to one's home country. The new rules will take effect on September 1, 2026.
Does this affect you?
- Foreign citizens in Sweden: Individuals who are not Swedish citizens face a higher risk of being deported if they commit crimes, regardless of how long they have lived in the country.
- Prosecutors: They have a new responsibility to actively request deportation when handling criminal cases involving foreign citizens.
- Courts: Judges must follow stricter guidelines and ignore practical obstacles when deciding if a person should be deported.
In Practice
- Most crimes that result in a punishment harsher than a fine can now lead to deportation.
- People who moved to Sweden before age 15 will no longer have special protection against deportation.
- Courts will no longer consider practical problems, such as difficulties in the home country, when deciding on a deportation.
- Bans on returning to Sweden will be longer, and in some cases, they can be permanent.
- Prosecutors will be required to demand deportation in more criminal cases.
- Penalties for certain crimes under the Aliens Act will be increased.
Background & Purpose
The government wants to increase safety and ensure that foreign citizens who break the law face stricter consequences. The goal is to make sure that committing a crime has a clearer impact on a person's right to stay in the country.