Five EU countries aim to send rejected migrants to 'return hubs' by 2027

Five European Union nations—Denmark, Greece, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands—have announced a collaborative initiative to establish 'return hubs' for migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected. The countries are currently seeking an agreement with an unnamed non-EU nation to host these facilities, with a targeted implementation date of January 1, 2027. The proposal was formalized during ministerial talks hosted in Copenhagen.

This initiative represents a strategic shift in EU migration policy, focusing on the externalization of detention and return processes. By coordinating efforts to move rejected applicants to facilities outside of Europe, the participating states aim to streamline the deportation process and manage migration flows more effectively.