Sweden passes law to revoke immigrant permits for bad behaviour, backs separate 'snitch law'

The legislation

On Monday the Swedish parliament passed a law that permits the migration agency to cancel existing and pending residence permits for foreigners based on so-called bad behaviour. The government has mentioned unpaid debts, failure to pay taxes, criminality, and connections to extremist organisations as examples, but the text does not define precisely which behaviours qualify. The reviews are retroactive, covering permits already granted, and any decision can be appealed to a migration court.

“Anyone who doesn't make the effort to do the right thing shouldn't be able to count on staying.”

Criticism and concerns

Opposition parties and human rights groups have condemned the law as arbitrary, noting that it penalises conduct that is not criminalised for Swedish citizens. Amnesty International warned that permits could be revoked "based on behaviour that was neither illegal nor punishable for Swedish citizens." The Stockholm-based organisation Civil Rights Defenders said it undermines the rule of law and equality before the law.

“The good behaviour law leaves people in uncertainty about what actions or expressions can be used against them.”

“This would lead to the risk of residence permits being denied or revoked based on behaviour that was neither illegal nor punishable for Swedish citizens.”

Political context

The right-wing government, which took power after the 2022 election on pledges to cut immigration and fight crime, relies on the far-right Sweden Democrats for its majority. The new laws arrive months before a parliamentary election in September that is expected to be dominated by identity and security issues.

The 'snitch law'

In a separate vote, MPs narrowly approved a law requiring many public-sector employees to alert authorities if they suspect someone is undocumented. The measure passed by 174 votes to 172, drawing warnings from health experts and rights groups that it would harm migrants' physical and mental health and increase racial profiling.