Sweden is facing questions over its post-Brexit migration policy after figures revealed the country is responsible for 33% of all British nationals deported from the European Union between 2021 and 2025, according to a report by The Guardian.
Eurostat data on British deportations from the EU
Between 2020 and 2025, 2,490 Britons were deported from Sweden out of an estimated 14,000 living in the country. By comparison, France accounted for 6% of British deportees from the EU, Spain for 3%, and Germany for 2%. Data also shows that 2,100 removal orders were issued in Sweden, though it remains unclear how many resulted in voluntary departures or actual deportations. Eurostat data indicates the Netherlands was another outlier with 2,270 Britons deported during the same period.
Joyce Thomas and George Mason missed post-Brexit deadlines
The high deportation figures and specific high-profile cases have sparked concern among activists and commentators regarding whether Sweden has applied a hardline approach to the Brexit withdrawal agreement. Among those affected are Joyce Thomas, a 78-year-old widow who lived in Sweden for 22 years, and George Mason, a 74-year-old with dementia who has resided in the country for 25 years. Both missed the deadline to apply to remain post-Brexit. Additionally, a 34-year-old Briton named John Sellers, who had lived in Sweden since he was 10, was deported in January.
Charles faced detention at a center close to a Stockholm airport
Charles, a former business director from Cambridge who moved to Sweden in 2017 to live with his Swedish wife Lily, faced detention at a center close to a Stockholm airport awaiting potential deportation after his post-Brexit application was rejected by the migration agency. They have hunted us for five years,
Lily said of the couple’s ongoing legal battles with authorities.
Martin Gelin commented on the situation ahead of a general election
Swedish author and journalist Martin Gelin commented on the situation ahead of a general election, stating, The number of absurd, hardline calls from the migration department just keeps piling up.
Activists have noted that British citizens, who hold unique protections under the withdrawal agreement, appear to be subjected to the same treatment as other foreign nationals.
