78-Year-Old British Widow Faces Deportation from Sweden Over Late Brexit Application

Joyce Thomas, a 78-year-old retired nurse who has lived in Sweden for 21 years, has been ordered to leave the country after a post-Brexit residency application was deemed submitted too late. Her late filing was rejected in 2024 because she could not demonstrate “reasonable grounds” for the delay, and a subsequent request under Swedish national immigration law was also denied. With pro-bono legal assistance, Thomas is now appealing the decision in a higher Swedish court.

The Guardian

Sweden’s handling of Brexit-related residency cases has drawn criticism for its strictness. Eurostat data show that roughly 2,500 British nationals have been ordered to leave Sweden since the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU, representing one-third of all removal orders issued across the 27-member bloc. The European Commission’s latest annual report recorded 14,200 post-Brexit residency applications in Sweden, of which almost 4,000 were refused—a refusal rate of 27.5 %. By contrast, Bulgaria refused five out of about 16,000 applicants, and Belgium refused 605 of 13,000, illustrating Sweden’s comparatively harsher stance.

The Guardian

Peter Kyle, former business secretary and MP for Brighton, called Thomas’s situation “deeply concerning” and urged Swedish authorities to consider her long residence, family ties, and humanitarian factors. The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has voiced broader concerns about Sweden’s approach, stating that it regularly raises the issue with Swedish officials and the European Commission.

The Guardian

• 2,500 British nationals ordered to leave Sweden since Brexit (Eurostat).

The Guardian

• 14,200 residency applications submitted to Sweden; 3,900+ refusals (European Commission).

The Guardian

• Sweden’s refusal rate of 27.5 % is roughly three times higher than the EU average of 3-4 % and higher than any other member state.

The Guardian

• “It is unbelievable at my age to be chucked out after being in a country for so long, when you’ve done absolutely nothing wrong,” — Joyce Thomas

The Guardian

• “We regularly raise concerns regarding Sweden’s protection of citizens’ rights with both the Swedish authorities and the European Commission, which is responsible for monitoring the implementation and application of citizens’ rights matters in EU member states.” — An FCDO spokesperson

The Guardian