The Swedish government has reaffirmed its stance on removing and deporting British citizens who applied too late for residency after Brexit.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell strongly defended the Swedish Migration Agency’s handling of the Brexit withdrawal agreement on Wednesday. He was responding to a lawmaker’s question about Joyce Thomas, a 78-year-old British widow who has been ordered to leave Sweden after living there for 21 years.
Forssell said the European Commission, which is legally responsible for making sure EU countries apply the withdrawal agreement correctly, supports Sweden’s approach.
“The Migration Agency has reviewed how the withdrawal agreement is being applied, and the assessment is that Sweden has met its obligations. The Commission shares this view,” he said.
There has been growing criticism over removal orders issued to British citizens who did not realize Sweden was one of 13 EU countries that required formal applications to stay after Brexit.
In another case, John Sellers, a 34-year-old British man, was deported even though he had lived in Sweden since age 10.
Thomas’s local MP, Häkan Svenneling from the Left Party, told the Guardian: “It seems to me that the Swedish government thinks everything is fine even though British citizens are being deported from Sweden right now. Not acting is also a form of action here. What Sweden needs is a new government and a new migration minister who will stop deporting people with strong ties to Sweden.”
In his written reply to Svenneling, Forssell offered some hope to British citizens facing deportation. He said: “The relationship with the UK is very important to Sweden, and the government will continue to ensure the withdrawal agreement is implemented correctly. As part of this, we are looking into whether further steps can be taken to make the process easier in the future.”
Thomas has been told she must leave Sweden by Tuesday, 8 September, or she could be deported and banned from the Schengen area.
She is one of several British citizens who received removal orders after the Migration Agency rejected their late applications to stay.
The UK Foreign Office has repeatedly raised Sweden’s handling of late residency applications in the specialized committee on citizens’ rights, a group set up to ensure the withdrawal agreement is properly enforced.
David Milstead, who runs the grassroots group Brits in Sweden, said the Swedish response was not surprising. “The government was never going to distance itself from the decisions of the Migration Agency or the Swedish courts. The real issue is whether Sweden’s approach is in line with EU law and the withdrawal agreement,” he said.
He noted that under the agreement, the UK had to create an independent body, the Independent Monitoring Authority (IMA), to make sure the Home Office applied the Brexit deal correctly. The European Commission plays a similar role for EU member states.
“The IMA has taken a much firmer approach. It’s hard to imagine it not challenging the UK if it had followed a policy like Sweden’s, which would have put the rights of around 250,000 successful late applicants in the UK at risk,” Milstead said.
“Sweden’s approach now needs to be tested before the European Court of Justice, or addressed through measures that fix the problem. The government’s response leaves that question open.”The possibility of change must include correcting unjust deportation decisions. The European Commission has been asked for comment.
Data from Eurostat shows that between 2021 and 2025, a total of 2,490 UK nationals were ordered to leave Sweden. Analysis by the Foreign Office found this made up 32.9% of the 7,565 UK nationals who were ordered to leave the 27 EU member states during that period. While it’s unclear exactly how many of these individuals were in Sweden before the end of the UK-EU transition period, it’s likely that most of them were.
Thomas has lived in Sweden for 21 years. She says her late husband asked the authorities about the impact of Brexit and was told they didn’t need to do anything to stay in the country legally. The couple moved there to be close to their son and grandchildren. Thomas says she has been left feeling deeply worried after receiving the removal order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the topic ranging from basic to more advanced queries
General Background Questions
1 What is this story about
Its about Sweden refusing to soften its postBrexit immigration rules for British citizens Even though the UK is no longer in the EU Sweden is applying the same strict thirdcountry rules to Brits as it does to people from the US or Asia The Swedish minister is defending this tough line
2 Why is Sweden being so strict with Brits
Sweden believes that if it makes exceptions for the UK it will have to make exceptions for everyone They argue that the rules are the rules and since Britain chose to leave the EU it must accept the consequences of being a nonEU country
3 Doesnt Sweden like British people
Its not personal Its about legal principle Sweden wants to maintain a strict immigration system to control who comes into the country They see the UK as a wealthy nation that doesnt need special humanitarian treatment so they apply the standard rules
4 Has Sweden always been like this with Brits
No Before Brexit British citizens had the same freedom of movement as other EU nationals They could live and work in Sweden without visas or permits After Brexit that automatic right disappeared and they now must go through the standard application process
The Rules The Reality
5 What exactly does a British citizen have to do to move to Sweden now
They need a work permit a residence permit for studies or a residence permit for family ties They must apply before they move usually from the UK and they must meet strict income and insurance requirements
6 Im a Brit who has lived in Sweden for years Am I affected
No If you moved to Sweden before Brexit you are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement Your rights are largely the same as before
7 Im a Brit married to a Swede Is it easier for me
Yes but its still paperwork You have the right to live with your Swedish spouse but you must apply for a residence permit and prove your relationship is genuine The process is often quicker than for work permits
