British Man Deported From Sweden After Living There Since Childhood in Shocking Post-Brexit Case

A British man who moved to Sweden at the age of 10 has been deported after spending 24 years in the country, despite being educated there and recently marrying a Swedish woman.

John Sellers, 34, was removed from Sweden in January after three unsuccessful attempts to secure the right to remain in the country. His case has become the latest example of the difficulties faced by British citizens living in Sweden after Brexit, with Sellers now fighting to return to Gothenburg and reunite with his wife, Caroline.

Man Says Sweden Is His Home

Sellers moved to Sweden with his family when he was 10 years old. His parents had relocated from Essex under the free-movement rights that existed while the UK was part of the European Union.

He grew up and was educated in Sweden and later began studying to become a teacher. His father died when Sellers was 16, while his mother eventually returned to England after he began his college course.

Despite spending most of his life in Sweden, Sellers failed to secure permanent status after Brexit. He applied for Swedish citizenship in September 2021, before the deadline at the end of that year, but his application was rejected.

Two further attempts to remain in Sweden through family-related immigration provisions were also unsuccessful. Sellers was deported in January and remains determined to return to Gothenburg.

'Whenever I come to England, I feel like a tourist. Sweden is my home,' Sellers said.

Deportation Came After Marriage

The case has become even more painful for Sellers because he recently married Caroline, a Swedish citizen. The couple had hoped to build a life together in Sweden, but his deportation has left them separated. Caroline has chronic health problems and has been dealing with significant stress caused by the immigration battle.

Sellers has also faced financial difficulties after losing the ability to work normally while fighting the deportation. The couple has criticised Sweden's handling of British nationals who failed to complete residency applications after Brexit.

Sellers said he wanted people to understand what Brexit had meant for Britons who had built their lives in EU countries.

Thousands of Britons Affected

The Sellers case comes amid wider controversy over Sweden's approach to British citizens affected by post-Brexit immigration rules. About 2,500 British nationals have been ordered to leave Sweden since Brexit, giving the country the highest number of Brexit-related removal orders involving Britons among EU member states.

The issue centres partly on Sweden's refusal to accept late applications from people who did not realise they were required to formally apply for residency after Brexit.

Sellers' case is now being appealed with fresh evidence concerning his relationship with Caroline.

Sweden Faces Growing Pressure

The deportation has emerged alongside other controversial cases involving British nationals who have lived in Sweden for decades.

A 78-year-old British widow who has lived in the country for 21 years has also been ordered to leave, while another British man receiving full-time dementia care has been given a temporary reprieve from removal.

Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell is facing pressure to review the government's approach. Swedish MP Håkan Svenneling has called for a review of how British residents are being treated.

For Sellers, the dispute is deeply personal. He has spent most of his life in Sweden and now finds himself separated from the country he considers home.