Five EU nations advance plan to deport rejected migrants to external hubs by 2027

Copenhagen ministerial meeting

Ministers from Denmark, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, and Greece convened in Copenhagen on 4 September 2026 to coordinate plans for establishing migrant return centres outside the European Union. Known as the Group of Five, the coalition aims to transfer rejected asylum seekers who cannot be returned to their countries of origin to third-party partner states. Danish Immigration and Integration Minister Morten Bødskov announced that the participating countries intend to reach an agreement with a non-EU partner around New Year. German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that technical talks with prospective host countries are underway, with the coalition scheduling its next coordination session for late September in Munich. European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner also attended the discussions in the Danish capital.

Target timelines and prospective host nations

Around New Year, we expect to have a common understanding with a partner country outside of the European Union.

The five governments intend to have the return facilities operational during 2027, when Denmark expects to begin transferring irregular migrants to the designated partner country. Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris noted upon arrival at the summit that discussions with several non-EU nations have reached an advanced stage. While ministers declined to officially name candidate host nations during the press conference, Rwanda and Uganda are considered possible destinations. In August 2026, the Rwandan government acknowledged holding preliminary talks with several European countries regarding potential transit agreements. Similar offshore deportation policies have seen divergent trajectories across Europe, including a British initiative that was cancelled under a Labour administration and an Italian agreement with Albania that faces ongoing legal proceedings.

Legislative framework and human rights scrutiny

The ministerial agreement builds upon a June 2026 decision by the European Parliament, which approved an overhaul of migration rules allowing member states to set up return hubs abroad. Participating ministers maintained that the hubs must function as a collective European project that aligns with EU law and reduces irregular arrivals. The proposal has divided European leaders, with French President Emmanuel Macron rejecting offshore centres as ineffective and incompatible with European values. Human rights advocates and organisations such as Amnesty International have raised concerns regarding ill-treatment, indefinite detention, and agreements with politically unstable states. In July 2026, the Council of Europe issued formal warnings and recommendations to migration officials across the five countries, noting that transferring foreign nationals to third countries carries risks of arbitrary detention.

We want to reach an agreement with third countries this year.