Full Breakdown
Sweden Passes ‘Good Behaviour’ and Reporting Laws to Tighten Immigration Controls
6/18/2026, 5:40:47 AM
Legislative Action
On 15 June 2026 the Swedish Riksdag passed a “good behaviour” law and a companion “reporting” law by a 174-172 vote. The first lets the Migration Agency revoke pending or existing residence permits for unpaid debts, undeclared work, tax evasion or extremist links, applying retroactively. The second obliges staff of the tax authority, employment service, social insurance agency, prison and probation services to inform police of suspected undocumented persons; teachers, doctors and social workers are exempt.
Background, Data, and Key Actors
Sweden’s policy has moved from openness after the 2022 election to tighter controls, driven by the right-wing coalition and the Sweden Democrats. In 2021 foreign-born suspects were 2.5 times more likely than native-born Swedes to be recorded as criminal offenders. The undocumented population is estimated at 30,000–50,000. Migration Minister Johan Forssell introduced the bills; opposition includes Civil Rights Defenders, Amnesty International, the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants (Louise Bonneau), the European Public Services Union (Jan Willem Goudriaan) and scholar Jacob Lind.
Official Positions
Government View
The government says the measures protect Sweden’s “social contract” by ensuring only those who “make the effort to do the right thing” stay, and that reporting duties prevent undocumented people from accessing public services while enabling timely deportations.
Opposition View
Human-rights groups call the criteria “arbitrary”, argue the law “undermines the rule of law” and equality before the law, and warn the reporting requirement creates a climate of fear, encourages racial profiling and may deter migrants from health care or education.
Public Reaction and Uncertainties
Hundreds protested on Stockholm’s Norrbro bridge on 14 June, calling the “snitch law” a human-rights setback. Researchers warned a mother’s newborn could be reported via tax-authority data. Sources disagree on the exact behavioural list, on which agencies must report, and on the retroactive scope. No official estimate of revocations has been released.
Verbatim Quotes
“Anyone who doesn’t make the effort to do the right thing shouldn’t be able to count on staying.” — Johan Forssell, Swedish Minister of Migration
“The good behaviour law leaves people in uncertainty about what actions or expressions can be used against them.” — Civil Rights Defenders, Stockholm-based group
“This is the latest measure in a long list of extremely problematic regulations on migration,” — Jacob Lind, migration expert, Malmö University
“Today’s vote will have devastating consequences for undocumented migrants who will be further pushed into the margins of society as their access to rights is restricted.” — Louise Bonneau, Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants
Outlook
The provisions take effect on 13 July 2026. Affected persons may appeal to migration courts. Legal challenges are expected, and the measures will be a focal issue in the September parliamentary election. EU-wide reforms to speed deportations could shape future Swedish policy.
