The Swedish government wants to introduce additional safeguards to limit immigration. This will likely include tougher income criteria for foreign nationals who are hoping to join their relatives who reside in Sweden.

The government is also exploring the option of introducing further DNA testing to confirm the identity of people. This would in particular apply to cases where the family relationship cannot be established by paperwork alone, particularly when it comes to children.

The government says it has launched a review of the current legislation to this end, the results of which it is planning to publish by January 25, 2025.

Also read: Sweden to make it harder for non-European migrants to claim benefits

A difficult coalition

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson had vowed to address immigration as a main priority after coming to power in 2022.

This was part of the deal that the Conservative premier had to make with the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD) in order to build a majority coalition.

Swedish Minister of Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard said during a press briefing that the right to a family life remains "a fundamental right, but the current rules are more generous" than the requirements stipulated by the EU.

"The circle of family members eligible for a residence permit must be reviewed and tightened," SD spokesperson Ludvig Aspling meanwhile told reporters.

Also read: 'Sweden as we know it is dying': From welcoming migrants to discouraging them

A Scandinavian haven for people fleeing violence

Sweden has a long history of taking in migrants and refugees, with a historically generous approach to asylum cases. 

In the past, the Scandinavian nation accepted large numbers of people fleeing conflicts over the past 30 years, including those making their way to the EU following the collapse of the former Yugoslavia.

In more recent years, Sweden has become a haven for people fleeing war and persecution from countries like Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq and Iran.

Also read: Could Sweden's tough migration stance spill over into the EU?

However, the Nordic country with a population of just over 10 million, has also been struggling with embracing the changes associated with such major changes.

Certain urban areas have witnessed a major decline in safety, such as the southern city of Malmö.

Researchers attribute a lack of proactive integration initiatives as the main reason behind such trends, warning however that rising crime rates should not automatically be regarded as a consequence of growing immigration.

Also read: Child asylum seeker in Sweden raises even more money for charity

with AFP