Malmö reports surge in aid to undocumented residents and crackdown on labor crime

Financial aid provided by the city of Malmö to individuals without the right to reside in Sweden has seen a significant increase. Between January and September 2025, payments rose to approximately 308,000 SEK, representing a 258 percent increase compared to the same period the previous year. While the municipality's responsibility for undocumented adults is generally limited to acute emergency situations, local guidelines allow children in these families to receive aid up to the national standard, including assistance with housing costs, based on the principle of the best interests of the child.

In a separate enforcement action, multiple authorities conducted a four-day coordinated operation in Malmö to combat labor crime and criminal economies. The inspections targeted various sectors, including transport, food wholesalers, waste management, restaurants, and vehicle workshops. The operation resulted in over six million SEK in sanctions and economic measures. The Swedish Work Environment Authority alone issued 25 cases with sanctions totaling over 1.4 million SEK, alongside 16 immediate prohibitions. Other participating agencies, including the police and the Enforcement Authority, seized vehicles and valuables and identified several regulatory violations.