Five EU nations agree to establish migrant return hubs outside Europe by 2027

Denmark, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Greece have agreed on a model to establish migrant "return hubs" outside the European Union, aiming to deport rejected asylum seekers there by 2027. Backed by recent EU policy overhauls, the coalition is negotiating with African nations like Rwanda and Uganda to host the facilities. While ministers promise humane conditions monitored by the UN, human rights groups and the Council of Europe warn the plan risks creating legal and humanitarian black holes.

Return hub implementation timeline

• ▪The interior and migration ministers of the Group of Five nations plan to reconvene in Munich, Germany, at the end of September 2026.
• ▪The Group of Five European nations aim to sign agreements with non-EU host countries by the end of 2026 or early 2027.
• ▪Denmark, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Greece agreed on September 4, 2026, to establish migrant return hubs outside the European Union by 2027.

Partner country negotiations

• ▪Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo stated in August 2026 that Rwanda is open to negotiating with European nations to host asylum seekers.
• ▪The Group of Five nations plan to fully finance the return hubs and may offer commercial partnerships or other incentives to host countries.
• ▪The Group of Five nations are negotiating with partner countries, primarily in Africa, to host the return hubs, with Uganda and Rwanda identified as likely possibilities.

Human rights criticism

• ▪Michele LeVoy, Director of the Brussels-based NGO PICUM, criticized the return hubs as an old tactic to outsource migration control and evade human rights obligations.
• ▪Danish Refugee Council Secretary General Charlotte Slente argued that return hubs focus on few returns, will not stop dangerous migration routes, and risk violating human rights.
• ▪Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty warned that return hubs pose considerable human rights risks and could become human rights black holes.

EU legal framework changes

• ▪Nineteen European Union governments signed a joint letter in June 2026 supporting the establishment of return hubs as an innovative solution for migration management.
• ▪The European Parliament approved migration policy changes in June 2026 that grant member states the authority to establish return hubs in non-EU countries.

Facility conditions monitoring

• ▪Danish Migration Minister Morten Bødskov stated that the return hubs are not detention camps but facilities where partner countries offer irregular migrants a new chance.
• ▪The Group of Five ministers stated that the return hubs will be monitored by international organizations, including the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration.
• ▪A UNHCR spokesperson stated that the agency had not yet been approached with specific details of the Group of Five's return hub proposal.

5 sources