Joyce Thomas, a 78-year-old British widow, is facing deportation from Sweden after a late residence application following Brexit. Thomas, a retired nurse, moved to Sweden 22 years ago with her husband, who died three years ago. She stated that she and her husband were unaware they needed to submit a formal application to remain in the country after the UK left the European Union.
Swedish authorities informed her that she should have applied for residence status under the EU-UK withdrawal agreement, a process that concluded on December 31, 2021. Thomas was only made aware of this requirement when she attempted to re-enter Sweden in 2023. Her subsequent applications and appeals have been rejected, with the Swedish Migration Agency setting September 8 as the deadline for her voluntary departure.
Thomas described the situation as "absolute hell," reporting difficulties with eating and sleeping due to the stress. She expressed concern about leaving her son, grandchildren, friends, and her late husband's grave. "I'm tired, I really am tired and I'm not young anymore," she told the BBC, questioning the lack of empathy and highlighting her two decades of residency.
Swedish Minister for Migration Johan Forssell acknowledged the situation, stating that the current framework was implemented by a previous government. He indicated that the government would "examine whether there are measures we can take to make the process easier for those affected" by consequences of the EU-UK withdrawal agreement. Forssell added that the government believes rules should be applied generously and that the UK is an important partner for Sweden. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office stated it welcomes the Swedish authorities' intention to review the issue and is ready to support them.
According to Eurostat data, between 2021 and 2025, 2,490 UK nationals were ordered to leave Sweden, representing nearly a third of the over 7,500 UK nationals ordered to leave all 27 EU member states during that period. The Swedish Migration Agency reported that 458 British citizens have been deported or forcibly removed since Brexit. In a similar case last month, a family reported that their father, who has dementia and vascular parkinsonism and lives in full-time care in Sweden, also faced removal after over 20 years in the country.