Sweden to tighten residence permits’ ‘honest way of life’ requirement

Sweden is looking into tightening the requirements for an “honest way of life” for those who want to stay in the country, as the centre-right coalition and its far-right ally in parliament, the Sweden Democrats, announced plans to open an inquiry into the matter on Tuesday.

Abuse, high debts, close links to criminal gangs and a dishonest way of life could soon become grounds for deportation in Sweden as the centre-right government (Moderates, Christian Democrats and Liberals) together with the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD) want to give more weight to the lifestyle of foreigners when it comes to their right to stay in Sweden.

“A basic condition for successful integration is that people who want to live in Sweden respect basic norms and live in an honest and orderly manner”, declared Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard, announcing the inquiry to analyse the possible revocation of residence permits – not only for crimes but also for “other shortcomings in the way of life”.

Actions that can lead to the revocation of a residence permit and deportation include welfare fraud, debts or links to gang crime or terrorist activities.

“In the case of debts, the guidelines focus on the requirement of an honest livelihood. Failure to meet payment obligations could be the basis for revoking a residence permit, Stenergard added.

Another basis could be expressions that could threaten democracy or the system in some way, the minister added, pointing to the LVU campaign – a Swedish disinformation campaign claiming that the Swedish social services agency kidnaps Swedish children and gives them to adoptive families in other countries, especially in the Middle East.

“If you have been involved in activities aimed at undermining our democratic principles, there is every reason to be concerned,” she said, adding that honest people should not be worried.

Different parties, different life conceptions

While agreeing on the need to increase pressure on foreigners regarding their lifestyles, the Liberals and the conservative Sweden Democrats still disagree on what constitutes a “dishonest lifestyle” and who should or should not be included in this category. After a debate within the governing coalition, prostitution was excluded.

“It was very important to the Liberals that it should be clear that this should not affect people who are vulnerable,” Brandberg said.

But the absence of an explicit mention of prostitution in the text calling for the inquiry does not mean that it cannot be included, said SD spokesman Ludvig Aspling.

“A basic principle for living in Sweden with a residence permit is to have an honest livelihood, and prostitution is not an honest way of making a living,” he explained.

The study commanded by the ruling coalition should be completed by 15 January 2025.

(Charles Szumski | Euractiv.com)