Sweden in Focus

This week we talk about a deportation order issued to an eight-year-old infant that has shocked Sweden.In lighter news, we’ll ask why one Swedish town wants more of its inhabitants to get intimate during work hours.For Membership+ subscribers we dig into the first figures on voluntary repatriation after the government offered a large grant to get more people who came to Sweden as refugees to leave the country.Finally we look at the history of sportlov, Sweden’s annual spring break, and we give advice on how to make best use of the holiday.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists Becky Waterton and Richard Orange, as well as a late cameo from Richard's children. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:ImmigrationOutrage after Swedish Migration Agency orders baby to be deportedOver 270 foreigners apply for 350,000 kronor grant to leave SwedenWorking in SwedenHow you can get your Swedish employer to pay for your gym membershipWork permitsEverything you need to know about skiing on 'sportlov' in Sweden

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers.Sign up to Membership+ now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ __In this week’s episode we talk about the latest development on teen deportations, as the issue continues to dominate the headlines in Sweden.The Local’s Nordic editor Richard Orange explains why Sweden is deporting the 18-year-old children of permanent residency applicants. And what are the government's plans now that pressure is mounting to take action to stop the deportation of high school students. Richard also speaks to Besnik Barani, a software developer from Kosovo who has appealed a Migration Agency decision to deport his daughter. Like many other parents The Local has spoken to recently, Barani is hoping for an end to what he describes as an absurd situation. READ ALSO:Swedish government to look at allowing teen deportees to graduateWhat are the proposed solutions to Sweden's teen deportation problem?

In this week’s episode of Sweden in Focus Extra we talk about the latest development on teen deportations, as the issue continues to dominate the headlines in Sweden.The Local’s Nordic editor Richard Orange explains why Sweden is deporting the 18-year-old children of permanent residency applicants. And what are the government's plans now that pressure is mounting to take action to stop the deportation of high school students. Richard also speaks to Besnik Barani, a software developer from Kosovo who has appealed a Migration Agency decision to deport his daughter. Like many other parents The Local has spoken to recently, Barani is hoping for an end to what he describes as an absurd situation. READ ALSO:Swedish government to look at allowing teen deportees to graduateWhat are the proposed solutions to Sweden's teen deportation problem?

This week we have a heavy focus on immigration after the government revealed the details of a proposed new law tightening up citizenship requirement which sparked anger among many readers of The Local, mainly because the new rules will even apply to people who have been waiting years for their applications to be processed.For Membership+ subscribers we also look at the latest on teen deportations as the government comes under pressure to halt the expulsion of the young adult children of permanent residency holders.Finally we focus on work visas after we learned more this week about the government’s plans to allow limited exemptions to salary requirements for permit holders.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage and Becky Waterton. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Swedish citizenship Sweden reveals plan to tighten up citizenship rulesYour questions about Sweden's new citizenship lawSwedish citizenship almost impossible for stay-at-home partners under new lawTeen deportations Swedish PM says no plans for a freeze on teen deportationsWhat are the proposed solutions to Sweden's teen deportation problem?Work permitsSwedish government tells Migration Agency 'limited need' for work permit exemptions

This week we have a heavy focus on immigration after the government revealed the details of a proposed new law tightening up citizenship requirement which sparked anger among many readers of The Local, mainly because the new rules will even apply to people who have been waiting years for their applications to be processed.For Membership+ subscribers we also look at the latest on teen deportations as the government comes under pressure to halt the expulsion of the young adult children of permanent residency holders.Finally we focus on work visas after we learned more this week about the government’s plans to allow limited exemptions to salary requirements for permit holders.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage and Becky Waterton. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:Swedish citizenship Sweden reveals plan to tighten up citizenship rulesYour questions about Sweden's new citizenship lawSwedish citizenship almost impossible for stay-at-home partners under new lawTeen deportations Swedish PM says no plans for a freeze on teen deportationsWhat are the proposed solutions to Sweden's teen deportation problem?Work permitsSwedish government tells Migration Agency 'limited need' for work permit exemptions

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSweden in Focus Extra is a podcast for The Local's Membership+ subscribers.Sign up to Membership+ now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ __In this week’s episode we shine a light on teen deportations, an issue that has jumped to the top of Sweden’s political agenda.The Local’s Nordic editor Richard Orange caught up recently with the migration policy spokespeople for the Green and Centre parties, two of three parties backing an initiative to end the deportation of the 18 year old children of permanent residency applicants.Annika Hirvonen from the Green Party explains why the Greens and the Left Party have filed a parliamentary initiative calling to reinstate a legal clause that previously stopped young adults being split from their families when they lost their residency permits as a dependent.Niels Paarup-Petersen from the Centre Party talks about the challenges of trying to get the Social Democrats on board with the initiative. In the studio, Richard gives more background on an issue that's affecting many foreigners in Sweden, and we look ahead at what's likely to happen next. READ ALSO:Swedish opposition parties call for new law to stop teen deportations'People in Sweden are really raising their voices now and it’s very beautiful'

In this week’s episode we shine a light on teen deportations, an issue that has jumped to the top of Sweden’s political agenda.The Local’s Nordic editor Richard Orange caught up recently with the migration policy spokespeople for the Green and Centre parties, two of three parties backing an initiative to end the deportation of the 18 year old children of permanent residency applicants.Annika Hirvonen from the Green Party explains why the Greens and the Left Party have filed a parliamentary initiative calling to reinstate a legal clause that previously stopped young adults being split from their families when they lost their residency permits as a dependent.Niels Paarup-Petersen from the Centre Party talks about the challenges of trying to get the Social Democrats on board with the initiative. In the studio, Richard gives more background on an issue that's affecting many foreigners in Sweden, and we look ahead at what's likely to happen next. READ ALSO:Swedish opposition parties call for new law to stop teen deportations'People in Sweden are really raising their voices now and it’s very beautiful'

Get Membership+ to listen to all The Local's podcastsSign up now and get early, ad-free access to a full-length episode of the Sweden in Focus podcast every weekend, as well as Sweden in Focus Extra every Wednesday.Please visit the link that applies to you and get a 40% discount on Membership+For signed-in members: Upgrade to Membership+For new members: Get Membership+ __In this week's episode we talk about the Swedish government’s pledge to drive through 12 new immigration laws before the September election.With the Winter Olympics underway, we assess Sweden’s chances and answer the big question: what's biathlon?For Membership+ subscribers we explain why the Migration Agency has been tasked with creating a new list of professions to be exempted from work permit salary requirements.We also hear from a disgruntled panelist who’s had to attend one too many Swedish parent-teacher meetings and wonders if there’s any way to fix them.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:ImmigrationSweden to pass twelve new migration laws before September electionSportHow can you watch the 2026 Winter Olympics on Swedish TV?Work permitsWhy does Sweden's government want a new list of jobs exempted from the salary limit?EducationDo Swedish parent-teacher meetings have to be quite so unproductive?

In this week's episode we talk about the Swedish government’s pledge to drive through 12 new immigration laws before the September election.With the Winter Olympics underway, we assess Sweden’s chances and answer the big question: what's biathlon?For Membership+ subscribers we explain why the Migration Agency has been tasked with creating a new list of professions to be exempted from work permit salary requirements.We also hear from a disgruntled panelist who’s had to attend one too many Swedish parent-teacher meetings and wonders if there’s any way to fix them.Host Paul O'Mahony is joined this week by regular panelists James Savage and Richard Orange. Here are links to some of the topics discussed in the episode:ImmigrationSweden to pass twelve new migration laws before September electionSportHow can you watch the 2026 Winter Olympics on Swedish TV?Work permitsWhy does Sweden's government want a new list of jobs exempted from the salary limit?EducationDo Swedish parent-teacher meetings have to be quite so unproductive?