A 78-year-old British widow, Joyce Thomas, is confronting the threat of deportation from Sweden, a country she has called home for over two decades. Her situation has become dire following a missed deadline for a post-Brexit residency application, which has led to her struggles with eating and sleeping.
Background on Residency Challenges
Joyce Thomas relocated to Sweden 22 years ago with her husband, who succumbed to cancer three years prior. The couple was unaware of the necessity to formalize their stay after the UK exited the European Union. This oversight has led to a series of rejected applications and appeals, with a looming deadline for her voluntary departure set for Tuesday.
“This is absolute hell,” Thomas expressed from her home, illustrating the uncertainty and stress she faces daily. The Swedish migration minister mentioned potential measures to ease the process for those affected by the EU-UK withdrawal agreement.
Impact of Brexit on UK Nationals in Sweden
Following Brexit on January 31, 2020, British citizens lost their EU citizenship status, impacting their right to reside in EU countries like Sweden. A transitional period allowed for residency applications until December 31, 2021, which Thomas and her husband missed.
Thomas discovered the requirement only upon trying to re-enter Sweden in 2023. Despite ongoing legal efforts to contest her deportation, she awaits a governmental response, grappling with the prospect of leaving her family and her husband’s resting place.
Government Response and Public Reaction
Between 2021 and 2025, Eurostat data shows that 2,490 UK nationals were ordered to leave Sweden, contributing to the over 7,500 UK nationals facing similar situations across EU Member States. Swedish authorities have not commented on Thomas’s specific case due to privacy constraints, but they acknowledged the deportation of 458 British citizens since Brexit.
Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell indicated that while the current rules stem from a previous government, there is an intention to apply them generously and explore potential solutions. He emphasized the importance of the UK as a partner and the desire for British citizens in Sweden to continue their lives there.
Political and Diplomatic Developments
Håkan Svenneling, an MP from the opposition Vänsterpartiet, criticized the existing migration policy as inhumane and expressed hope for policy changes following Sweden’s upcoming election. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has expressed readiness to support Sweden in addressing these issues.
