Sweden's parliament voted in June 2026 to get rid of permanent residence permits. This means migrants and asylum seekers can no longer work toward settling permanently in the country. Instead, they'll receive only temporary permits that can be renewed — but with no promise of eventual permanent status.

A second law passed the same month goes even further. It allows the government to take away someone's residency permit if authorities judge their behaviour to be problematic. According to Reuters, this kind of power is unusual in the European Union.

What Else Changed

Sweden didn't stop there. New asylum rules took effect on 12 June 2026 to match EU migration standards. On top of that, the government also made it harder to become a Swedish citizen by raising the qualifying requirements. Earlier in 2026, Sweden required asylum seekers to live in government-run centres while their cases are being decided, Reuters reported in February. This is supposed to make it easier to track people's cases and prevent them from leaving the country before a decision is made.

There is one exception. PhD students and researchers can get permanent residency faster than others. The Swedish Migration Agency created this rule on purpose — countries want to attract talented foreign workers, so they're willing to be flexible for this group.

What International Law Says

The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, raised concerns about these changes, according to documents the Swedish government released in January 2026. UNHCR worried that temporary permits only might violate the 1951 Refugee Convention — an international agreement that says refugees who get protection must eventually be treated as well as permanent residents.

Sweden says its new rules follow the EU's migration rules. The EU set a minimum standard that all member countries must follow, but countries can make their rules stricter. Sweden is now at the strict end of what the EU allows.

What Happens Now

An election is coming in September 2026. Polls show the opposition — parties that have traditionally been more accepting of migrants — are ahead. The current government might lose power. However, Swedish law makes it very hard to undo these new rules. To reverse them, a new government would need to pass new laws in parliament for each change.

Some of these rules, especially the power to take away residency, will probably face court challenges. But for now, Sweden has set a new direction. Whether it stays that way depends on the election and on the courts.