RismadarVoice Reporters
September 4, 2026
Five European countries have announced plans to reach agreements with non-European Union countries to establish migrant return centres outside the bloc, as part of efforts to manage irregular migration.
Germany, Denmark, Greece, Austria and the Netherlands said they had agreed on steps towards securing a deal with a third country that would allow the creation of facilities for migrants who do not have legal residency in the European Union.
The announcement was made during a meeting hosted by Denmark on Friday, where officials from the five nations discussed measures aimed at speeding up the return of migrants whose asylum claims have been rejected or who lack legal permission to remain in Europe.
The countries, known as the Group of Five, did not disclose which non-EU countries could host the proposed return centres. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said discussions were ongoing and that the group hoped to reach an agreement before the end of the year.
“We want to reach an agreement with third countries this year that will enable the establishment of return hubs,” Dobrindt said.
The initiative follows recent changes in European migration policy, including reforms approved by the European Parliament that allow member states to explore external processing and return arrangements.
However, the proposal has drawn criticism from human rights organisations, which have raised concerns over the protection of asylum seekers and the conditions migrants may face in countries hosting such facilities.
The Council of Europe previously warned that return hubs could create significant human rights risks, while refugee organisations argued that the measures may not address the factors driving migration.
Danish Refugee Council Secretary General Charlotte Slente said European countries should instead focus on implementing existing migration agreements, including improved border screening, faster asylum procedures and better systems for handling applications.
“Return hubs focus on a small number of returns; they will not stop people from taking even more dangerous routes, and they could violate basic human rights,” Slente said.
Denmark’s Immigration and Integration Minister Morten Bodskov said his country expects to be ready to transfer migrants to a return hub by the end of 2027. He added that the countries involved would continue discussions with international organisations, including the United Nations refugee agency and the International Organisation for Migration.
The UNHCR said it had not received detailed information about the proposal and could not comment on the arrangements being considered.
