The Swedish government is considering changes to the provision of free interpretation services for foreign-born people. An inquiry suggests that free interpretation should be limited to recent arrivals, with fees applied after a designated residency period. This issue has caused divisions within the ruling coalition, particularly between the Sweden Democrats, who support charging fees, and other parties like the Liberals and Christian Democrats, who oppose it. Healthcare, justice, and vulnerable groups would remain exempt from these fees, reflecting ongoing debates about the support for immigrants in Sweden.
Currently, everyone has the right to an interpreter free of charge. But according to the inquiry directives, only people who recently arrived in Sweden should be able to receive the help of one for free.
Interpreters have been a divisive issue within the government coalition, made up of the Moderates, Liberals, Christian Democrats and backed by the far-right Sweden Democrats.
According to Ekot, the parties have now agreed that healthcare services and the justice system should be exempt from any interpretation fees, as would children.
The Blekinge region in 2024 tried to force patients who have had a residence permit for over two years to pay a fee if they needed an interpreter present at healthcare visits, but a court overturned the decision.
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