EU strikes deal on 'return hubs' to send rejected asylum seekers outside the bloc

A new tightening of migration rules

European lawmakers and member states struck a provisional compromise on Monday evening to harden the EU's migration policy. The reform, which builds on the 2024 migration and asylum pact, introduces a battery of measures to accelerate expulsions and, for the first time, explicitly allows willing member states to set up so-called 'return hubs' outside EU territory. These centres would host third-country nationals who have received a final return decision, particularly those whose asylum applications have been rejected.

Today's agreement shows that we are bringing our European house in order. With the new rules, we have more control over who can come to the EU, who can stay and who needs to leave.

The compromise must still be formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in the coming weeks, but Monday's political agreement paves the way for final approval.

How the return hubs would work

The concept of 'return hubs' was first floated by the European Commission in March 2025 as part of a 'new common approach on returns' that aims to be more efficient, firm, and fair. Under the agreed framework, migrants who have been issued a final return order could be transferred to centres in non-EU countries on the basis of bilateral agreements or arrangements. These hubs would serve either as a final destination or as transit points while the member state or Frontex organises repatriation to the person's country of origin.

These people could return to their country of origin, others could go to another third country, and some could stay in that partner country where the hub is located.

Several EU countries are already exploring potential host nations. Denmark, Austria, and Germany have reportedly considered Rwanda, Uganda, and Uzbekistan as possible locations. The model echoes Italy's earlier experiment with a centre in Albania, though that facility remained largely empty due to a series of legal challenges. Unlike the Italian-Albanian arrangement, which involved transfers before asylum claims were examined, the new EU law applies only to those who have already received a final rejection.

Stricter obligations and penalties

The reform also establishes a strict legal obligation for migrants subject to expulsion to leave and cooperate with authorities. Those who refuse face harsher penalties, including prolonged detention of up to 24 months, confiscation of identity documents, and extended re-entry bans. The maximum ban on entering the EU would rise from the current five years to ten years, or even twenty years in serious cases.

Proponents argue the measures are necessary to fix a broken repatriation system. According to the European Commission, around 400,000 people who no longer have the right to reside in the EU receive a departure order each year, yet only about 20% actually leave. The new rules aim to close that enforcement gap and act as a deterrent for would-be irregular migrants.

Criticism from rights groups and sceptical member states

Humanitarian organisations have sharply criticised the reform. The International Rescue Committee warned that the deal would give governments much broader powers to detain and deport people, normalise immigration raids, and expand the use of detention in prison-like facilities outside EU territory that are 'essentially legal black holes.'

It looks set to normalise immigration raids, expand the use of detention in prison-like facilities outside EU territory that are essentially legal black holes and increase the risk of people being deported to countries where they could face persecution, torture or worse.

Not all member states are enthusiastic. France has expressed scepticism about the hubs, while Spain opposed the measure outright, seeing it as a threat to human rights. A diplomatic source cautioned that the hubs will be 'country-by-country arrangements' and that it is unclear how they will function in practice, suggesting the real core of the law lies in the flexibilities introduced to speed up expulsions.

Implementation timeline

Under Monday's accord, most of the new measures will apply immediately once the law enters into force. Certain provisions will take effect 12 months later to give member states time to prepare the necessary regulatory changes. The phased rollout reflects the complexity of setting up bilateral agreements with third countries and building the physical infrastructure for the hubs.

The deal comes amid hardening public opinion on migration across the continent, which has fuelled electoral gains for far-right parties. With irregular arrivals already declining, Brussels has shifted its focus to improving the repatriation rate, which currently stands at less than 30% of those ordered to leave, according to the Commission.