Germany and Denmark to maintain border controls, plan Return Hub pilot for 2027

Border controls extended

Germany and Denmark will maintain temporary internal border controls at their shared frontier, both interior ministers confirmed after a meeting in Berlin on 9 July 2026. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) described the checks as "an important contribution to pushing back illegal migration." His Danish counterpart, Morten Bodskov, Minister for Migration and Integration, said Denmark also sees a continuing need for controls on its side. The two countries have been conducting fixed checks since 2024: Denmark began on 12 May 2024, and Germany followed on 16 September 2024. Both have extended the measures multiple times since then, citing the need to curb irregular migration and disrupt smuggling networks.

Border controls are an important contribution to pushing back illegal migration.

The ministers noted that the German-Danish border plays a smaller role in irregular migration flows compared to other routes, but federal police have nonetheless been successful in disrupting smuggling operations there. Police forces from both countries work closely together, they said. The success of these temporary internal border controls has been evident in recent months, according to Dobrindt.

We currently also see the necessity for controls at this border on the Danish side.

Return Hub initiative

Beyond border checks, Dobrindt and Bodskov discussed the concept of "Return Hubs", deportation centers to be established outside the European Union. These facilities would host irregular migrants who have been denied protection status in Europe but cannot be deported to their countries of origin for various reasons. The idea is to process and hold such individuals in third countries, reducing the pull factors for irregular migration to Europe. Dobrindt said Greece, the Netherlands, and Austria have also expressed interest in the measure.

The two ministers expressed confidence that an agreement with a willing host state could be reached before the end of 2026, allowing a pilot project to launch in 2027. No specific country was named as a potential host. The Return Hub model is part of a broader push among some EU members to externalize migration management, with the aim of reducing incentives for irregular arrivals. The ministers stressed that the initiative is still in a planning phase, but they are optimistic about making progress this year.

European alignment

The continued border regime and the Return Hub talks reflect a broader tightening of migration policy among several EU member states. While the German-Danish border is not a primary migration route, the coordinated stance signals political alignment between Berlin and Copenhagen on enforcement measures. Dobrindt and Bodskov emphasized their good cooperation on migration policy at the European level, particularly regarding the Return Hubs. The initiative aligns with efforts by other EU countries to explore offshore processing, though details remain sparse. The meeting in Berlin underscored the shared commitment to stricter border management and innovative solutions to migration challenges.

Timeline of controls and plans

The timeline shows the key dates: Denmark's introduction of fixed controls in May 2024, Germany's in September 2024, the July 2026 meeting, and the projected pilot launch in 2027. The sequence underscores the gradual hardening of border policy between the two Schengen-area neighbors.