Sweden’s parliament approved legislation on Monday granting authorities expanded powers to revoke residency permits from immigrants based on what the government describes as “bad behaviour,” marking another significant step in the country’s increasingly restrictive immigration policy ahead of next year’s parliamentary election.
The law allows officials to withdraw both pending and previously granted residency permits if immigrants are found to have engaged in conduct considered incompatible with remaining in Sweden, including failing to pay debts or taxes, undertaking undeclared work, committing crimes or maintaining links to extremist organizations.
The measure forms part of a broader immigration overhaul introduced by the center-right government and supported by the nationalist Sweden Democrats, which have pledged to reduce immigration and strengthen law enforcement since taking office following the 2022 general election.
Government officials argue that residency in Sweden should be conditional not only on legal status but also on responsible conduct and respect for Swedish laws and societal obligations.
“Anyone who doesn’t make the effort to do the right thing shouldn’t be able to count on staying,” Migration Minister Johan Forssell said when presenting the proposal in March, according to Reuters.
Unlike existing legislation focused primarily on criminal convictions, the new law gives authorities wider discretion to assess an individual’s overall conduct. While the legislation does not provide an exhaustive list of behaviors that could lead to permit revocation, the government has identified unpaid debts, tax violations, undeclared employment, criminal activity and connections to extremist organizations as examples that may be considered during reviews.
Responsibility for evaluating residency permits will rest with the Swedish Migration Agency. Individuals affected by revocation decisions will retain the right to challenge those rulings before Sweden’s migration courts.
The legislation has generated strong criticism from opposition parties and civil rights organizations, which argue that its broad wording creates legal uncertainty by allowing residency permits to be withdrawn for conduct that has not necessarily resulted in criminal prosecution or conviction.
Human rights advocates contend that the absence of clearly defined legal thresholds could leave immigrants uncertain about what actions or expressions might place their residency status at risk.
“The good behaviour law leaves people in uncertainty about what actions or expressions can be used against them,” Stockholm-based advocacy group Civil Rights Defenders said in a statement, according to Reuters.
“It undermines the rule of law and the principle of equality before the law,” the organization added.
Supporters of the legislation reject those concerns, arguing that permanent or long-term residency carries obligations as well as rights and that individuals who repeatedly disregard Swedish laws or societal norms should not automatically retain permission to remain in the country.
The new law reflects Sweden’s continuing shift toward stricter immigration policies following years of political debate over migration, integration and public security. Once known for maintaining one of Europe’s most open asylum systems, Sweden has gradually tightened immigration rules amid growing concerns about organized crime, gang violence and challenges associated with integrating large numbers of newcomers.
The legislation is expected to become another prominent issue in the campaign leading to Sweden’s parliamentary election next September, with immigration likely to remain one of the country’s defining political debates. Supporters describe the measure as a necessary tool for protecting public confidence in the immigration system, while critics warn it grants authorities excessive discretionary powers that could weaken legal certainty for lawful residents.
