Five EU states push 'return hubs' for rejected migrants by 2027

Five European Union countries are pursuing an agreement with an unnamed non-EU country to establish a 'return hub' for migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected, with a target start date of January 1, according to a Danish minister quoted by The Local Italy.

The initiative, which would see rejected applicants transferred to a facility outside the EU while their deportations are processed, represents the latest iteration of a policy idea that has gained traction among member states seeking to make returns more effective.

The Danish minister's comments, reported by The Local Italy on Friday, suggest the five countries are working to a tight timeline. The proposal echoes earlier discussions within the EU about processing asylum claims and returns in third countries, an approach that has drawn criticism from human rights organisations but has found growing support among governments frustrated by low return rates.

For Italy, the development carries particular significance. As one of the primary entry points for migrants crossing the Mediterranean, Italy has long pressed its EU partners for greater solidarity in managing arrivals and returns. The Italian government has been among the most vocal advocates of externalising some aspects of migration management, viewing arrangements with countries of origin and transit as essential to reducing irregular arrivals.

The return hubs proposal, however, also raises questions about how it would interact with existing EU mechanisms, including the Dublin regulation and the bloc's broader migration pact. Whether Italy is among the five countries involved was not specified in the Danish minister's remarks, leaving open the question of Rome's direct participation.

Italy's interest in the scheme is likely to be shaped by domestic political considerations as well as practical ones. The government has faced sustained pressure from voters concerned about migration numbers, and a visible role in a new EU returns initiative could serve both policy and political objectives.

The unnamed host country and the legal framework for the hubs remain unclear, and the January target date appears ambitious given the complexity of concluding such an agreement. Previous attempts to establish similar arrangements have encountered significant obstacles, including legal challenges and resistance from potential host countries.

The European Commission's response to the initiative will be a key factor in its viability. While the EU executive has shown openness to innovative approaches on returns, it has also insisted that any arrangements must comply with international law and fundamental rights standards. The coming months will test whether the five countries' ambition can be translated into a functioning agreement.