Swedish Court Orders British Resident with Dementia to Leave

Immigration rules in Sweden are enforced strictly against long-term foreign residents. Late paperwork or missed residence requirements can lead to sudden deportation orders.

A Swedish court ordered a 74-year-old British citizen to leave Sweden. Horace Mason has lived in Sweden for 25 years. He suffers from advanced vascular dementia and needs full-time care. The Migration Court of Appeal ruled against his appeal in July. The court stated that state immigration control outweighs his personal needs.

Authorities gave Mason ten days to leave the country by August 20. His family applied for a residence permit in December 2021 after Brexit. The Migration Agency rejected the application in November last year. Officials said he lacked documents proving his right of residence. The court noted that dementia care is available in the United Kingdom.

Sweden refuses a high percentage of post-Brexit residence applications. Over 27 percent of these Swedish applications have been rejected. This rejection rate is much higher than the European Union average. Foreign residents in Sweden and Denmark must closely track immigration deadlines. The case shows that severe health conditions may not prevent deportation.