Sweden Defends Deportation of 2,490 British Citizens After Brexit

Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell defended the government's decision to deport British citizens who failed to apply for residency permits following Brexit. Between 2021 and 2025, Sweden issued removal orders for 2,490 UK nationals, accounting for nearly 33% of all such orders across the European Union. Sweden is one of 13 EU countries requiring formal applications for British citizens to remain.

Forssell stated that the European Commission agrees Sweden has fulfilled its commitments under the Brexit withdrawal agreement. The policy has faced criticism from MP Häkan Svenneling, who highlighted the case of Joyce Thomas, a 78-year-old resident of 21 years who faces a September 8 deadline to leave the country or risk a Schengen area ban. Svenneling argued that the government is deporting people with strong connections to Sweden.

While the British Foreign Office has challenged Sweden's approach in the committee on citizens' rights, Forssell maintained that the government is investigating measures to facilitate the residency process in the future.