EU Approves Controversial Migration Law Allowing Deportation 'Return Hubs' Outside Europe

May 25, 2026

The EU has approved its strictest migration law in decades, allowing member states to establish 'return hubs' outside the bloc to deport migrants without a legal right to stay. The new rules, driven by low return rates and political pressure, also increase detention times and tighten border controls. The Netherlands is leading a multi-country push for the hubs, while human rights groups criticize the law as a violation of fundamental rights.

Dutch return hubs outside EU

▪A deal to establish the first non-EU return hub is expected to be announced within six to seven months.
▪The Netherlands is pushing to set up Europe's first 'return hubs' outside the EU for deporting migrants denied the right to stay.
▪The Dutch government concluded there is no legal obstacle to the return hubs following a review by the Clingendael think tank.
▪The Dutch government expects 'concrete steps' toward establishing the return hubs in the coming months.

EU migration reform bill

▪Only unaccompanied minors are exempt from deportation to a return hub, while families with children are eligible.
▪The new rules remove the requirement to return migrants only to their country of origin or a country with a proven connection.
▪The maximum legal detention period for irregular migrants awaiting return is increased from six months to two years.
▪Entry bans for returned migrants are increased from five to ten years, with possible lifetime bans for security risks.
▪The law allows EU countries to establish deportation centers, or 'return hubs,' outside the bloc via agreements with non-EU countries.
▪The new law is considered the EU's most significant shift to a tougher migration policy in decades.
▪The law ends the automatic suspension of deportations during legal challenges, leaving the decision to courts on a case-by-case basis.
▪According to official figures, only 29% of migrants with no legal right to remain in Europe currently leave the EU.
▪The new rules were driven by high numbers of asylum seekers from 'safe countries' and voter fatigue with migration waves.
▪The EU has agreed on a new law, the 'Return Regulation,' to speed up the return of migrants with no legal right to stay in Europe.

Multi-country cooperation on migration

▪Italy has operated a similar, experimental scheme with two centers in Albania since late 2023.
▪The first return hub is expected to be used by the Netherlands, Greece, Germany, Austria, and Denmark.
▪The Netherlands is working with Denmark, Malta, and Sweden on processing asylum applications outside of Europe.

External asylum processing centers

▪The goal of external asylum processing is to prioritize EU entry for migrants whose applications have been approved.

Human rights convention debate

▪On May 15, 46 Council of Europe member states called for human rights rules to allow for more effective migration policy.
▪Critics compare a provision allowing searches of migrant residences to raids conducted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).