Spain’s Sánchez isolated at EU summit as 19 nations demand swift action on deportation hubs and clash over regularization

A divided union

The European Parliament approved the Return Regulation on Wednesday by a clear majority of 418 votes to 218, with 30 abstentions. The legislation allows for detention of up to 24 months (extendable to 30) and greenlights so-called “return hubs” in third countries. Seven non-EU nations, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, Kosovo, India, Morocco and Tunisia, have already been designated as safe for deportations, with more expected from candidate countries. Some provisions entered into force immediately; others will follow within 12 months.

“We need to present concrete results that make a real difference for our citizens and move forward, as quickly as possible, with solutions based on third countries.”

The 19-nation push

On Friday morning, a letter led by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was circulated to the Council, signed by 19 of the 27 member states. Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden all joined Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Italy and the Netherlands in demanding the hubs be operationalised swiftly. The signatories argued that dismantling smuggler business models and ensuring returns of those without legal residence rights is the most effective deterrent against irregular migration. Germany backed the idea but did not sign, while Portugal and Spain openly rejected the proposal.

Sánchez under fire

During the Council debate, Frederiksen thanked European Parliament President Roberta Metsola for shepherding the law through, prompting Sánchez to voice his discomfort. He labelled the hubs ineffective and wasteful, stating the measure sends a wrong signal to countries of origin and transit. Meloni then directly reproached him over Spain’s mass regularisation, saying “what you do affects other countries,” a criticism joined by Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, Hungary’s Péter Magyar and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Sánchez stood his ground, defending Spain’s record and insisting the hubs go against EU values.

“What you do affects other countries.”

“This solution of return hubs is not effective. It will not solve anything, as experience shows. And it sends the wrong message to the countries of origin and transit with which we collaborate. And what is more, it is contrary to the values of the EU.”

Spain’s counter-argument

Sánchez detailed that irregular arrivals to Spain dropped 35 percent overall in the first five months of this year, and fell 71 percent in the Canary Islands compared to the same period in 2025. He stressed that the vast majority of regularised migrants are Latin Americans who have lived and worked in Spain for years, posing no integration challenge. According to Spanish government data, regularization requests have reached as many as 900,000. Sánchez, who said the policy is backed by both the Catholic Church and business associations, even suggested counterparts could consult the Vatican.

What happens next

The heated exchange, described by diplomats as “necessary debate” but others as a “clash,” ensured migration was added to the agenda of the October European Council. The regulation that paved the way for return hubs still requires formal adoption by the Council before certain measures can take effect, but the 19 signatories are already moving ahead: Italy has begun transferring expellable migrants to centres in Albania under an existing bilateral deal, and other members are scouting potential partnerships.