Five European Union countries are moving ahead with plans to establish migrant return centres outside the bloc, with the first facility expected to become operational in Africa in 2027.
The countries involved are Greece, Germany, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands.
The five nations, known as the “Group of Five”, are working on a common model for so-called return hubs for migrants whose asylum applications have been finally rejected or who have no legal right to remain in the EU
Plevris said Greece had already selected an African country to host the facility but that its identity could not yet be disclosed. Rwanda and Uganda have been mentioned in diplomatic and media reports as possible locations, although neither country has been officially confirmed.
Full list of the five countries
1. Greece
Greece is leading the initiative and expects the first return hub to become operational during the second half of 2027.
Plevris said the centre would be established in an African country already selected by Greece, although the government has not publicly named the country.
Greece is also due to hold the rotating presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2027.
2. Germany
Germany is part of the group seeking agreements with non-EU countries to establish return hubs.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has previously said the participating countries wanted to reach agreements with third countries that would allow the facilities to be established.
Berlin has also been involved in discussions over the legal framework for transferring migrants who have no legal right to remain in the EU.
3. Austria
Austria is also backing the proposed return-hub system.
Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has argued that the initiative could help tackle irregular migration and reduce dangerous journeys to Europe.
Austria has separately reached migration and readmission agreements with other countries, including Uzbekistan, although those agreements do not constitute a return hub.
4. Denmark
Denmark previously pursued its own plan to transfer asylum seekers to a third country.
In 2021, Copenhagen passed legislation allowing such arrangements and entered negotiations with Rwanda over a possible reception centre. The talks were suspended in 2023 amid legal and logistical difficulties.
Denmark has since shifted towards pursuing third-country arrangements jointly with other European countries.
5. Netherlands
The Netherlands is the fifth member of the group.
Dutch authorities have described the proposed facilities as open centres rather than detention camps. The facilities would accommodate migrants who cannot remain in Europe while arrangements are made for their return.
The five countries agreed in September to intensify discussions with potential partner countries and work towards establishing the hubs.
Under the proposed model, responsibility for people transferred to the return hubs would remain with the participating European countries rather than being handed over entirely to the African host country.
The five countries are also expected to finance the facilities, while international organisations such as the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) could be involved in monitoring their operation.
The plan follows previous attempts by European countries to establish migration arrangements outside their territories.
The United Kingdom’s plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda was ultimately abandoned after the British Supreme Court ruled the scheme unlawful, citing concerns over the risk of people being returned to countries where they could face persecution or inhumane treatment.
Italy has also operated migrant facilities in Albania since 2024. One of the facilities has subsequently been used as a deportation centre for men whose asylum applications were definitively rejected.
The proposed EU return hubs have attracted scrutiny over their compatibility with human rights and international law. The Council of Europe has called for comprehensive human-rights assessments, independent monitoring and legally binding safeguards if the plans proceed.
The five countries nevertheless aim to have the first migrants transferred to a partner country outside the EU in 2027
