Five European Union countries are moving ahead with plans to establish EU return hubs outside the bloc for migrants who have no legal right to remain.
Denmark, Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Greece agreed on a common model during a meeting in Copenhagen on Friday. They aim to make the system operational and ready for the first transfers by 2027.
Five Countries Back Common Return Model
The five governments want to create facilities in one or more non-EU countries.
The centres would accommodate rejected asylum seekers who cannot return to their countries of origin. However, the governments involved have not yet identified their partner country publicly.
Danish Immigration Minister Morten Bødskov said his country expects to be ready to transfer the first migrants by the end of 2027.
Partner Country Remains Undisclosed
Negotiations with potential partner countries are continuing.
Several reports have previously mentioned African countries, including Rwanda and Uganda, as possible locations. However, the five governments have not officially confirmed a final destination.
Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris said discussions with potential partners were becoming more detailed.
The ministers are expected to meet again in Munich later this month.
What Will Happen at the Return Hubs?
Under the proposed model, migrants would move to facilities outside the EU after receiving a final rejection of their asylum applications.
The partner countries would host the centres, while the participating European states would provide funding and other forms of support.
The agreements would establish rules covering migrants’ stay, procedures at the centres and the responsibilities of the participating EU governments.
The countries also say they intend to work with international organisations, including the UN refugee agency and the International Organization for Migration.
EU Wants Illegal Migration Reduced
The five governments argue that return hubs could strengthen Europe’s migration system.
Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said the countries share a goal of reducing irregular migration as much as possible.
Supporters believe the policy could make deportations more effective. They also argue that a stronger return system could discourage people from entering the EU without legal permission.
However, critics question whether the centres can operate effectively while protecting migrants’ rights.
Human Rights Concerns Grow
The proposal has already faced criticism from human rights organisations.
Rights groups fear that moving migrants outside EU territory could make legal protections harder to enforce.
The Council of Europe has also warned about risks involving human rights, potential mistreatment and arbitrary detention.
The participating governments insist that the system will follow EU law and international obligations.
EU Migration Rules Open the Door
The plan follows changes to EU migration policy that allow member states to explore return arrangements with countries outside the bloc.
The European Parliament backed rules designed to speed up the return of people who do not have the right to remain in Europe.
As a result, several EU governments have shown interest in the return-hub concept.
Italy Provides an Early Test
Italy has already experimented with a similar approach through centres in Albania.
The project initially aimed to process thousands of migrants. However, the number transferred to the facilities has remained far below the original expectations.
The Italian experience has therefore raised questions about the cost and practical challenges of operating migration centres outside national territory.
UK and Denmark Faced Earlier Setbacks
The idea of sending asylum seekers to third countries is not new.
The United Kingdom abandoned its controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda after years of legal and political disputes.
Denmark also dropped its earlier national approach in 2023. Instead, it shifted toward cooperation with other European countries.
Now, Denmark and four EU partners are attempting to create a broader system.
Funding Will Come From the Five Countries
The participating governments say they will finance the return hubs.
They could also offer additional financial support, commercial cooperation or other incentives to partner countries.
The aim is to create what the governments describe as mutually beneficial partnerships.
However, the cost of running such facilities could become a major issue if the programme expands.
Return Hubs Face a Major Test
The five countries now have a clear target: prepare the first transfers for 2027.
Yet several challenges remain.
They must reach agreements with non-EU governments, establish operating rules and address concerns over human rights. They must also demonstrate that the centres can reduce irregular migration without creating new legal or humanitarian problems.
For now, the EU return hubs plan represents one of Europe’s most significant attempts to change how rejected asylum seekers are handled.
If the five countries succeed, their model could influence migration policy across the wider European Union.
