British widow ordered to leave Sweden over late residency application

Swedish authorities have told Joyce Thomas, 78, to leave Sweden by September 2026. Thomas, a British widow, has lived in Sweden for 22 years but missed the deadline to apply for post-Brexit residency. Her applications and appeals have all been rejected.

Thomas moved to Sweden with her husband, who died of cancer three years ago. Her son, grandchildren, and her husband's grave are all there. She worked as a nurse and has never been in trouble with the law.

She says the stress has stopped her from sleeping and eating properly. Around 2,500 other British citizens have received similar orders. The UK government and campaign groups have said Sweden's rules are stricter than those in other EU countries.