Since 1880, the Kingdom of Sweden has pursued a protectionist immigration policy, both to shield the labor market from foreign competition and defend the “Swedish race” against “foreign infiltration.” Xenophobia and antisemitism receive broad public support. This is reflected in legislation as well as in public discourse, where the expression “Sweden for Swedes” is popular. During the Great Depression of 1929–1932, unemployment rises to 23 percent in this Scandinavian country. In response, the “Aliens Act” of 1927 is extended for another five years in 1932: It imposes a passport obligation and gives provincial and local police authorities extensive powers regarding whether arriving foreigners are accepted, expelled or interned pending a decision.
Following a revision of the law in 1936/37, the Utlänningsbyrån (foreigner section) of the Socialstyrelse (social welfare authority) increasingly takes over the tasks of the local police authorities, deciding on residence and work permits. Visas are generally issued only after work permits have been granted; they in turn are issued primarily to highly qualified workers. Only a very small number of German Jews immigrate to Sweden in the 1930s. Like Switzerland, Sweden accepts the German stamping of Jews’ passports with the red “J” in 1938. In this way, “non-Aryans” can be identified more quickly and rejected at the border.
Sweden’s declaration of neutrality at the beginning of World War II does not prevent the Kingdom from maintaining economic relations with the German Reich. Nevertheless, immigration policy is liberalized in the early 1940s. In 1942, the Kingdom authorizes the entry of 900 Jews from Norway. In October 1943 Sweden grants asylum to 8,000 Jewish refugees who have fled occupied Denmark, crossing to Sweden via Öresund and Kattegat and Bornholm Island in small fishing boats.
Between 1933 and 1945, about 4,000 Jewish refugees from Germany and Austria end up in Sweden.
