Five European Union countries are planning to establish centres outside the bloc for migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected. The first facility is expected to begin operations in Africa in 2027. German broadcaster DW reports that the five countries are working on what they describe as “return hubs” for people who have been ordered to leave the EU. The five countries involved are Greece, Germany, Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Greece is leading the initiative and has indicated that the first return hub could become operational in the second half of 2027. Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris said an African country had already been selected, although its identity had not been disclosed. Greece is also expected to assume the rotating presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2027.
The other countries involved in the initiative have also expressed their commitment to establishing the return hubs. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt previously said the group wanted to reach an agreement with third countries that would enable the establishment of the facilities. Austria's Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner, has argued that the project could help reduce irregular migration and dangerous journeys to Europe.
Denmark has previously explored the possibility of transferring asylum seekers to a third country. In 2021, Copenhagen passed legislation allowing such arrangements and held negotiations with Rwanda over a reception centre. The talks were suspended in 2023 after legal and logistical difficulties emerged. Denmark has since shifted towards pursuing third-country arrangements together with other European countries.
The five countries agreed in September to step up discussions with potential partner countries and work towards establishing the hubs. Plevris said Greece had selected an African country to host the facility but did not name it publicly. The countries have stressed that the facilities would be open centres rather than detention camps.
Responsibility for people transferred to the hubs would remain with the participating European countries, rather than being handed over to the African host country. The project is also expected to be financed by the five European countries, while organisations including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organisation for Migration could monitor operations.
The plan follows several unsuccessful efforts by European countries to outsource asylum processing or deportation arrangements. The most prominent was Britain’s Rwanda scheme, under which the Conservative government sought to send asylum seekers arriving irregularly in the UK to Rwanda. The British Supreme Court ultimately ruled the policy unlawful, citing concerns that people sent to Rwanda faced a real risk of being returned to countries where they could face persecution or inhumane treatment.
Key points
- The five European countries involved are Greece, Germany, Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
- The first return hub is expected to become operational in Africa in 2027.
- The facilities would be open centres rather than detention camps.
