A group of five European Union member states — Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, and Greece — have joined forces to develop deportation centers outside the European Union, marking the first coordinated attempt by several EU governments to implement such a controversial migration policy in practice.
The initiative aims to create so-called “return hubs”, facilities located outside EU territory where rejected asylum seekers would be transferred while awaiting deportation to their countries of origin. The project represents a major shift in how Europe may handle irregular migration and asylum cases in the coming years.
Five EU Countries Form Coalition on Migration Returns
Interior ministers from the five countries held discussions in Brussels alongside an official EU meeting, signaling their intention to move from debate to concrete implementation.
According to European officials familiar with the discussions, the coalition believes that working in smaller groups may be the fastest way to test whether the controversial system of external deportation centers can function in practice.
The discussions were attended by Magnus Brunner, who participated as a guest and emphasized the importance of improving the EU’s return policies.
“Returns are an essential part of a functioning migration management system,” Brunner said, adding that the European Commission is committed to working with member states to identify innovative solutions for migration control.
Low Return Rates Drive Policy Change
The initiative comes as EU governments face increasing pressure to address migration challenges. According to data from Eurostat, less than one-third of migrants ordered to leave the EU actually return to their countries of origin.
This low return rate has been a persistent issue for European migration authorities. As a result, governments are searching for mechanisms that could make deportations more efficient.
The proposed deportation centers outside the EU would host migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected in Europe while authorities arrange their return.
New EU Regulation Could Allow External Migration Centers
The initiative is supported by a new EU regulation approved by member states in December, which would allow governments to transfer part of their migration management responsibilities outside EU territory.
If fully adopted, the regulation would allow EU countries to send irregular migrants to third countries that are not their country of origin, provided that bilateral agreements exist between the parties.
These centers could function as temporary transit locations or longer-term facilities where rejected asylum seekers would remain until their deportation is finalized.
However, the European Parliament is still debating the proposal. The regulation is currently under discussion in the Committee on Civil Liberties, and if approved there, it must pass a full vote in the European Parliament before negotiations with EU member states can begin.
Possible Locations Remain Secret
Diplomats involved in the discussions say the coalition already has concrete ideas about how the project could move forward, but governments are deliberately keeping potential host countries confidential.
Officials fear that revealing possible locations too early could jeopardize negotiations with third countries that might agree to host such facilities.
Countries willing to host deportation centers would likely receive financial incentives or political cooperation agreements in return.
For Greece, being the only southern European country participating in the initiative carries strategic importance. Greek officials believe the move could also send a deterrent signal to irregular migration flows across the Mediterranean.
Similar Initiatives Emerging Across Europe
The push for external deportation centers is gaining traction in other parts of Europe as well.
Finland has discussed a similar concept with Nordic partners, while the government of Italy has already taken steps that resemble the model. Italy is currently operating migration facilities in Shëngjin and Gjadër in Albania, where migrants are temporarily held while awaiting processing and potential deportation.
These centers represent one of the first practical examples of migration management cooperation between an EU country and a non-EU state.
Human Rights Groups Warn of Serious Risks
Despite growing political support among some governments, the proposal remains highly controversial.
Humanitarian organizations and NGOs have repeatedly warned that such facilities could lead to detention conditions resembling prisons and may create serious risks of human rights violations.
Several organizations have called on the European Parliament to block the regulation, arguing that the policy could undermine international asylum protections and shift Europe’s migration responsibilities to poorer third countries.
A Defining Debate for Europe’s Migration Future
The debate over deportation centers outside Europe reflects a broader struggle within the EU: how to balance border control, migration management, and human rights protections.
For countries experiencing political pressure to reduce irregular migration, external return hubs are seen as a potential solution. For critics, however, they represent a dangerous precedent that could reshape Europe’s asylum system.
As the European Parliament prepares to debate the proposal, the outcome could have major consequences for migration policy across the EU and neighboring regions, including the Western Balkans.