Man with dementia given days to leave Sweden

A man who has lived in Sweden for more than 20 years and receives round-the-clock care has been given days to leave the country.

George Mason, who is originally from Hinckley in Leicestershire, has vascular dementia as well as vascular parkinsonism and lives in a specialist care facility.

His daughter, Michelle Torossian, said the family was told by the British Embassy on 7 Augustthat Swedish authorities had given Mason, 74, until Thursday to leave the country or face deportation.

Rejecting an appeal by the family, Migration Court of Appeal documents state "when weighing up the state's interest in regulated immigration" and Mason's "private life", it determined expulsion was "proportionate".

Torossian said the situation had been "awful" and "traumatic" for the family.

"I'm just worried that if the police go in and try and take him, how is that going to affect my dad. We just want him to have some dignity," she said.

"We want him to be treated like someone - he's very vulnerable, and I just feel that this is really ruthless and harsh."

Torossian said doctors had advised the Swedish authorities the process of moving Mason to the UK would pose a "danger to his life".

When the UK left the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020, British citizens stopped being EU citizens, which meant they could no longer stay in Sweden with right of residence status.

During a transitional period, British citizens could apply for residence status under a withdrawal agreement between the UK and the EU - which ended on 31 December 2021.

Torossian explained due to Mason's health conditions, a 'god man' - a legally appointed trustee - was given power of attorney to look after her dad's affairs.

Documents from the Swedish Migration Agency, seen by the BBC, state an application for permanent residency for Mason was made on 21 December 2021.

However, it was refused on the grounds documents showing he met the grounds for residency were not submitted.

According to the documents, a further application was made in February 2024 on the grounds of his connection to his son, Carl Mason, who has Swedish residency.

However, this too was rejected by the Swedish Migration Agencyin November 2025 with documentsstating there was not a "special relationship of dependence" between the two.

A further appeal was subsequently rejected by the Migration Court of Appeal in June 2026 - before another was lodged with "extensive medical evidence".

The appeal states Mason was not "considered capable of international travel" and that a move from his current care environment "would likely result in a significant deterioration" in his physical and mental health.

It added a medical assessment said a move from his care environment was "not medically justifiable" and would pose "significant risks" to his health.

However, the court rejected the appeal in July, with documents stating his medical condition was not "life-threatening" and added he would be able to access care in the UK.

The family has launched a fundraiser to raise money to legally challenge the decision - with their initial aim of halting proceedings.

Torossian described the actions of the Swedish Migration Agency as "heartless".

"I think all cases should be judged individually, especially with the elderly and the vulnerable," she said.

"They were arguing the fact that you can still get the same amount of care in the UK, which he can get good care in the UK - we can get him in a home here.

"The fact that we are struggling with or trying to reiterate, is that the journey itself will be detrimental. It could kill him."

Torossian told the BBC that Mason had worked in the building trade in Sweden, and used to make remote control cars for his family.

She added he used to be "quite creative" and also played the guitar.

Torossian said Mason now "wasn't able to manage on his own" and was "very happy" at the specialist care facility.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: "We are supporting Mr Mason and his family and are in contact with the Swedish authorities about his case."

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