Briton Living in Hiding in Fear of Deportation Due to Brexit Rules

Mark Smith, a 60-year-old Briton living in Sweden with severe health issues, has been forced into hiding out of fear of deportation over what he claims is a government Brexit residency permit error.

Mark Smith, who suffers from health issues including a heart attack, stroke, severe headaches, and chronic high blood pressure, was served notice to leave Sweden on the grounds that he is a foreigner without a residence permit. Fearing deportation, Smith and his wife, Petra, left their home in Falkenberg in southwestern Sweden and settled in a caravan park, expressing worry that the police might find them.

A court ruled on October 12 that the deportation order would not be suspended, but granted until October 20 to apply for a retrial regarding the indefinite deportation order. Smith, who has resided in Sweden since 2017, stated that authorities had told him no additional procedure was required for him to stay following Brexit in 2020.