British widow faces deportation from Sweden after 22 years

A 78-year-old British widow, Joyce Thomas, is facing deportation from Sweden after 22 years of living in the country with her late husband. The Swedish government claims she should have submitted a formal residence application following the post-Brexit period. Thomas, a retired nurse, moved to Sweden with her husband, who passed away from cancer three years ago.

She has faced multiple rejections for applications and appeals, and Tuesday marks the latest deadline for her to leave Sweden voluntarily. She expressed her distress, stating that the situation is "absolute hell" and that she cannot sleep or eat.

The Swedish migration minister stated that the government would examine ways to ease the process for those affected by the EU-UK withdrawal agreement. Thomas and her husband were unaware of the need to submit an application or the rule when she tried to return to Sweden in 2023. Her lawyers are arguing against her deportation, but she is still waiting to hear from the government. The possibility of losing her son, grandchildren, friends, and husband's grave has become too much to bear for Thomas.

Between 2021 and 2025, 2,490 UK nationals were ordered to leave Sweden, making up almost a third of the 7,500 UK nationals ordered to leave the 27 EU Member States during this time. The Migrationsverket, the Swedish government agency responsible for migration, could not provide specific information about the number of British nationals at risk of deportation without Thomas's consent. However, they reported that 458 British citizens had been deported or forcibly removed since Brexit.

Johan Forssell, the Swedish Minister for Migration, acknowledged that the current framework was implemented by a previous government and that the government would closely examine the situation to see if measures can be taken to make the process easier for those affected. He emphasized the UK's importance as a partner for Sweden and expressed the desire to support British citizens living and working in Sweden.

Opposition MP Håkan Svenneling criticized the government's "inhumane migration policy" and hoped that the upcoming Swedish election would bring a change in policy, allowing Joyce and other Britons with strong ties to Sweden to remain in the country. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office welcomed the Swedish authorities' statement and expressed readiness to support them in addressing the issue.