Half of Sweden's municipalities have declined an invitation from the government's investigator to a meeting about voluntary return. The invitation for dialogue meetings on how to strengthen work on voluntary return was sent to municipalities in October 2025 and met with clear signals from several political representatives who did not want to participate in such meetings. Arguments raised were that all residents should be welcome and that labor is needed.
Of Sweden's 290 municipalities, nearly half, 138, have actively declined, 72 have accepted, and 80 have not responded. Several of those who accepted the meeting were understanding of the criticism and considered the meeting a reasonable way to get information. The meetings are to take place in early 2026.
Uddevalla municipality is among the quarter that accepted and is among the first to hold the meeting today.