London pubs no longer served by Swedes as Brexit rules bite

The days of Swedes serving beer in London pubs are largely over. Since Brexit, working in the United Kingdom has become a complicated and costly endeavor for EU citizens. Previously, a weekend trip to London might have involved being served by a Swede, but this is now a rare occurrence.

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It is a huge problem.

To secure employment in the UK today, individuals must be classified as 'skilled workers,' possess strong English language skills, and secure a job offer with an annual salary of at least £41,700 (approximately 525,000 SEK). This high salary threshold makes it difficult for many businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector, to hire foreign staff.

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The United Kingdom has very high salary requirements, the visa process is bureaucratic and can take months.

Sweden's Minister for Foreign Trade, Benjamin Dousa, has highlighted these challenges, noting the bureaucratic visa process and high salary requirements. He recently traveled to London to discuss potential solutions with the Office for Investment, aiming to simplify the process for Swedes and Swedish companies operating in the UK. Dousa emphasized Sweden's commitment to openness, contrasting it with other European countries focusing on retaining domestic labor.

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Sweden has chosen a different path compared to many other European countries that are investing in retaining labor within the country. We believe in openness.

Dousa also pointed out that while gaining international experience is valuable, Sweden's economic future depends on global engagement. He stated, "Sweden needs the world more than the world needs Sweden," underscoring the importance of international trade and collaboration for the nation's prosperity.

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You can put it bluntly: Sweden needs the world more than the world needs Sweden.