High number of foreign residents in Sweden leave country to settle in Germany instead
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In recent years, a notable trend has emerged as more foreign-born professionals are choosing to move from Sweden to Germany. This shift can be attributed to a combination of factors, including job opportunities, immigration policies, and economic conditions.
Germany, with its robust job market and high demand for skilled workers, has been actively working to attract foreign talent. In 2024, the country introduced a points-based "opportunity card" expected to bring in an additional 30,000 foreign workers annually [1]. This move, coupled with the streamlined immigration process initiated by the Skilled Immigration Act in 2023 and 2024, has made Germany a more appealing destination for potential migrants [2].
On the other hand, while Sweden's economy is strong, it might not offer the same level of job opportunities or wages as Germany in certain sectors. Sweden is also in the process of reforming its immigration policies, including the single permit regime, but these changes are still pending [1].
One of the key differences between the two countries lies in their work permit policies. In Germany, the Skilled Immigration Act has enabled the issuance of more work visas, with plans to increase this number further in 2025 [2]. By contrast, work permits in Sweden may be granted for up to two years, and employers cannot ask for reimbursement of application fees [1].
However, it's important to note that the specific trend of foreigners moving from Sweden to Germany is not well-documented. Lena Rekdal, a relocation expert from Nimmersion, believes that better opportunities and higher salaries in Germany could be reasons why foreign professionals are choosing to move [2].
This trend is not a new development. In 2020, 802 foreign-born people moved from Sweden to Germany, and by 2023, this number had increased to 2,016 [1]. If the current trend continues, Germany could be on track for another record year, with figures for the whole of 2024 yet to be released.
Sweden, however, faces challenges in retaining talent. Immigration expert Lena Rekdal noted that foreign professionals like Ekaterina Bessonova have faced difficulties in finding jobs in Sweden, despite having relevant experience and top-rated schools on their CVs [2]. In some cases, language barriers have been a significant hurdle, with employers preferring candidates who are proficient in Swedish.
In response to these challenges, Germany offers the possibility for newly arrived international talent to bring their parents over on a family permit, which is not as common in Sweden [2]. Sweden only allows the parents of foreigners to join their adult children on a family permit in exceptional circumstances.
Sweden's tightening of citizenship rules could also contribute to the trend. In 2024, the country is planning to raise the number of years someone needs to have been resident in Sweden before being eligible for citizenship from five to eight years [1]. By contrast, Germany reduced its minimum residence time before eligibility for citizenship from eight years to five in 2024 [1].
As these trends continue, it will be interesting to see how they shape the migration patterns between Sweden and Germany in the coming years.
References:
[1] The Local. (2024, June 1). Sweden's new citizenship rules: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.se/20240601/swedens-new-citizenship-rules-what-you-need-to-know
[2] The Local. (2024, June 1). Germany's new points-based system: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.de/20240601/germanys-new-points-based-system-what-you-need-to-know
- The trend of expats moving from Sweden to Germany, driven by factors such as job opportunities and immigration policies, has been influenced by Germany's introduction of a points-based work permit system called the "opportunity card" in 2024.
- In an attempt to attract foreign talent, Germany also streamlined its immigration process, making it more appealing for potential migrants when compared to the pending changes in Sweden's immigration policies.
- Finance and investing may play a role in this migration trend, as Germany's robust economy offers higher salaries in certain sectors and the possibility for family members to join on family permits, contrasting with Sweden's stricter policies in this area.
- Politics and general news outlets have reported an increase in the number of foreign-born individuals moving from Sweden to Germany, from 802 in 2020 to 2,016 in 2023, with the potential for another record year in 2024.
- Migration patterns between the two countries could shift further as Sweden plans to raise the number of years required for residency before citizenship eligibility from five to eight in 2024, while Germany reduced its minimum residence time for citizenship eligibility from eight years to five in the same year.
