Five EU countries advance plans for African migrant return hub by 2027
Greece, Germany, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands are pursuing agreements to establish facilities outside the European Union for migrants whose asylum claims have been finally rejected. Greece says an African host country has been selected, but the country has not been publicly identified and no host agreement has been confirmed.
Five European Union countries are advancing plans to establish facilities outside the bloc for migrants whose asylum applications have been finally rejected, with the first centre potentially opening in Africa in 2027. Germany’s broadcaster DW reported that Greece, Germany, Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands are working on what they call “return hubs” for people ordered to leave the EU. Greece is leading the initiative and its Migration Minister, Thanos Plevris, said the first hub could begin operating in the second half of 2027.
He said an African country had been selected, but did not identify it. Rwanda and Uganda have been mentioned by diplomatic sources and European media as possible locations. However, neither country has been confirmed as the host, and a Reuters report cited in the source material said Rwanda had held preliminary discussions with some EU countries without reaching an agreement.
The proposed model would transfer migrants to facilities outside the EU while arrangements were made for their return to their countries of origin. The five countries have said the facilities would be open centres rather than detention camps, with responsibility remaining with the participating European states rather than the African host. The project is expected to be financed by the five European countries.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organisation for Migration could also monitor operations, according to the report. The plan follows earlier efforts to relocate asylum processing or deportation arrangements. Britain’s proposed Rwanda scheme was ruled unlawful by the UK Supreme Court over concerns about the risk of people being sent to countries where they could face persecution or inhumane treatment.
Italy has operated migrant centres in Albania since 2024, although its scheme has faced court challenges and substantial projected costs.
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