Five EU nations agree framework to deport rejected asylum seekers to third-country hubs by 2027

Ministerial agreement in Copenhagen

Ministers from Denmark, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Greece gathered in Copenhagen on 4 September 2026 to formalize plans for migrant return centres outside the European Union. Known as the Group of Five, the coalition agreed on common negotiating terms for contracts with non-EU host nations. Danish Immigration and Integration Minister Morten Bødskov led the discussions with German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris. EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner also attended the session in Denmark. The participating governments stated their goal to finalize an agreement with a partner country around the turn of the year and prepare their first deportation flights by late 2027.

That means that from the Danish side, we expect to be ready to send the first foreigners to a partner country by the end of next year.

Candidate partner countries and technical negotiations

The coalition confirmed that exploratory technical talks are underway with several prospective host governments, though the ministers declined to name specific candidates during their press conference. Diplomatic discussions have focused on potential partners across Africa and Central Asia, with Rwanda, Uganda, and Uzbekistan identified among the candidates under review. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the proposed centres aim to break the operational model of human smuggling networks and reduce irregular arrivals. The five governments plan to accelerate negotiations at a follow-up ministerial meeting scheduled for late September 2026 in Munich. Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris stated that technical dialogue is progressing and expressed optimism that a partner country could be confirmed soon.

We want to reach an agreement with third countries this year that will then enable the creation of return hubs.

Scope of operations and European policy background

The initiative builds on changes enacted in June 2026, when the European Parliament approved an overhaul of EU migration and return regulations that created legal avenues for external facilities. That legislative change followed an initiative by 19 EU member states, including Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, and Austria, calling for third-country return mechanisms. Under the framework discussed in Copenhagen, return hubs would initially hold rejected asylum applicants and individuals subject to deportation orders who cannot be returned directly to their home countries due to missing travel documents or refusal of entry. Officials noted that future phases could expand the facilities to process initial asylum claims outside European territory.

Human rights concerns and legal challenges

The push to establish return centres outside Europe has drawn criticism from legal watchdogs and human rights organizations. In July 2026, the Council of Europe warned that transferring foreign nationals to third-party states presents considerable human rights risks, pointing to the dangers of arbitrary detention and ill-treatment. Non-governmental organisations have threatened resistance against the framework, citing previous difficulties with offshore processing arrangements, including Italy's centres in Albania and earlier Danish proposals with Rwanda. While the European Commission approved the broad legal framework under the updated pact, the European Union as a whole has not reached consensus on collective implementation of third-country detention centres.