EU clears path for deportation centres in third countries, Germany eyes Rwanda and Uganda
The EU has reached a deal on a new return regulation, enabling member states to deport rejected asylum seekers to third countries without any prior connection.
What was agreed
EU negotiators reached a deal on Monday evening on a new return regulation that will allow member states to set up “return hubs” in non-EU countries. Rejected asylum seekers who cannot be sent back to their home countries, for example because the origin state refuses to accept them, can be held in these centres. The key new element is that no prior connection to the third country is needed; the only requirement is a bilateral agreement between one or more EU states and the host country. The regulation also introduces stricter rules, including up to 24 months of detention for those resisting removal, easier entry bans and harsher penalties.
With the new rules, we have more control over who can enter the EU, who can stay and who must leave.
The agreement is part of a broader tightening of EU asylum policy, coming alongside the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) reform. In 2025, only 28 per cent of people ordered to leave actually departed, and the EU has faced mounting pressure from right-wing parties.
- EU Commission proposes return hubs and stricter rules
- Parliament passes migration measures with far‑right support
- Trilogue agrees on new return regulation
Germany’s push for deals
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt welcomed the outcome and said that talks with potential partner countries, including Rwanda, Uganda and Uzbekistan, are already underway. He expressed hope that first bilateral agreements could be struck this year, though he acknowledged that “there is still a lot of work to do.” The centres would not be operational immediately; after a deal is signed, the actual construction and setup will take further time. Dobrindt also argued that the prospect of being sent to a hub could discourage irregular migration and strike a blow against smuggling networks.
Political reactions
The SPD, junior partner in Germany’s coalition, remains sceptical but accepts that it cannot block the measure. The party supported the overarching CEAS reform and now has no parliamentary lever to stop specific agreements. Hakan Demir, the party’s interior policy spokesperson, called the 24-month detention provision disproportionate and said he doubts any country will volunteer to host the hubs.
So far, no one has been able to tell me where these return hubs should be built.
The Greens were far more hostile. Co-leader Felix Banaszak denounced the plan as a costly distraction that undermines protection mechanisms. He also sharply criticised the European People’s Party (EPP) for allying with far-right groups in the European Parliament to pass earlier migration restrictions.
Families with children being detained for years and people being deported to camps in third countries has nothing to do with effective, rule-of-law migration policy.
UNHCR spokesperson Barbar Baloch struck a more measured tone, saying the idea could be examined if human rights standards are respected.
Cost, experience and human rights concerns
Experience from similar projects has been sobering. Italy’s two camps in Albania, which were built from scratch, are estimated to cost between 650 million and one billion euros over five years. Human rights groups warn that the regulation risks creating a “draconian detention and deportation machine” and will open the door to systematic abuses. Silvia Carta of PICUM said:
This regulation will create a draconian machine of detention and deportation.
The regulation requires third countries to uphold “international human rights standards”, but critics note that such commitments are hard to enforce. SPD MEP Birgit Sippel pointed out there is no binding mechanism to ensure compliance. Unaccompanied minors would be exempt, but families with children are not.
What comes next
The regulation still needs formal approval by member states and the European Parliament, a step seen as likely. After that, national governments that want to set up return hubs will need to negotiate agreements with willing third countries. Spain and France have already signalled reluctance, while a group including Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Greece has been working with Germany on innovative solutions. Whether suitable host countries can be found remains an open question.
