The Swedish government has reaffirmed its policy of removing British citizens who failed to apply on time for residency permits following Brexit, prompting criticism and concern from various quarters. Migration Minister Johan Forssell defended the Swedish Migration Agency’s strict interpretation of the Brexit withdrawal agreement during a parliamentary session on Wednesday in response to questions regarding Joyce Thomas, a 78-year-old British widow ordered to leave Sweden after living there for 21 years.

Forssell emphasized that Sweden’s approach aligns with guidance from the European Commission, the body legally responsible for overseeing EU member states’ implementation of the withdrawal agreement. He stated that Sweden has fulfilled its commitments under the agreement and that this view is shared by the Commission. The minister also noted that the government is examining whether additional measures could ease the process for British citizens moving forward.

The enforcement of residency rules has affected numerous British nationals, including a recent case involving John Sellers, a 34-year-old deported despite having lived in Sweden since childhood. These removal orders have drawn criticism, particularly because Sweden was among 13 EU countries requiring formal residency applications post-Brexit—a requirement reportedly unfamiliar to many British residents.

Håkan Svenneling, a Left party MP representing Thomas’s district, condemned the government’s stance, calling for a change in leadership to halt deportations of individuals with deep ties to Sweden. “Not acting is also an action in this situation,” Svenneling said, highlighting the perceived absence of compassion in current policies.

The UK Foreign Office has raised Sweden’s handling of late residency applications multiple times within the specialised committee on citizens’ rights, a forum established to monitor the proper enforcement of the withdrawal agreement.

David Milstead, leader of the grassroots organisation Brits in Sweden, expressed skepticism about Sweden’s approach, noting differences between mechanisms in the UK and EU. He pointed out that the UK established the Independent Monitoring Authority (IMA) to oversee compliance with the agreement domestically and suggested that had the IMA applied Sweden’s stringent policy, it would likely face legal challenges. Milstead called for Sweden’s policies to be examined by the European Court of Justice or addressed through corrective measures.

Meanwhile, British citizens like Thomas face imminent deadlines to leave Sweden voluntarily or risk forced deportation and potential bans from the Schengen area. The Swedish government has signaled its intention to continue balancing faithful implementation of the withdrawal agreement with efforts to streamline procedures. The European Commission was approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.