Swedish authorities have confirmed that 458 British citizens have been deported or forcibly removed since Brexit, according to data released by the Swedish Migration Agency. This is the first time the total scale of these deportations has been made public, highlighting growing criticism of Sweden’s strict policies towards UK nationals who had previously lived in the country.
The deportations involve individuals whose residency applications were rejected following the UK’s departure from the European Union. The cases include people who had lived in Sweden for decades, vulnerable elderly individuals with dementia, and even a man who was deported despite having lived in Sweden since age 10.
Deportation Figures and Migrant Agency Statement
Susanna Fonsell, a legal expert at the Swedish Migration Agency, clarified that not all rejected residency applications lead to deportation. She noted that only around 400 cases had resulted in deportation decisions. The agency confirmed the exact number of deportations as 458 and emphasized that appeals were possible for those facing rejection.
David Milstead, who leads the British activist group Brits in Sweden, called for greater transparency regarding the circumstances behind these removals. He questioned whether the 458 figure includes people who voluntarily left after realizing their applications would fail or those who later obtained national permits but were still ordered to leave. He also highlighted the lack of data on individuals currently residing in Sweden on temporary permits with uncertain futures.
Human Impact and Ongoing Deportations
Recent cases illustrate the human toll of these deportations. One husband from Cambridge was detained in Stockholm as authorities prepared for his removal, despite a five-year legal battle. Another deportee, John Sellers, left Sweden after living there since childhood, separating him from his spouse. Additionally, 78-year-old British widow Joyce Thomas was ordered to leave Sweden shortly, facing possible re-entry bans and inclusion on a Schengen watchlist if she fails to comply.
The Swedish Migration Agency maintains that its interpretation of the Brexit withdrawal agreement aligns with other EU member states. Late applications for residency are permitted under the agreement if applicants provide reasonable grounds for missing deadlines. However, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) indicates that Swedish authorities rarely accept these grounds in practice.
Government Responses and Political Reactions
Sweden’s migration minister expressed a willingness to review the deportation practices, stressing the importance of maintaining good relations with the UK. The FCDO welcomes Sweden’s openness to investigate further and offers support. Meanwhile, the opposition Centre party’s migration spokesperson criticized the current approach and promised to introduce legislation, if elected, to allow British citizens to reapply for residency, emphasizing the need for a more compassionate policy.
