Planning for the creation of so-called Return Hubs for irregular migrants in third countries is entering its final phase, as the next steps for the “Core Group” of the five European countries participating in the initiative have already been identified.

Return Hubs are facilities that are expected to operate outside the European Union for the transfer and accommodation of people who do not have the right to remain in the EU and are subject to a return decision. Their operation will require agreements with third countries.

According to information from the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), the “2nd Munich Migration Meeting” European summit will take place in Munich on 26 September, with 17 European ministers expected to attend. On the sidelines of the summit, a meeting of the five “Core Group” countries — Greece, Denmark, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands — is expected to take place, focusing on coordinating the next steps towards the creation of the Return Hubs.

The next key meeting is scheduled for 1 October, on the sidelines of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council, where the “Core Group” countries are expected to meet with representatives of international organisations in order to advance the planning and implementation process for the Return Hubs.

These developments follow the meeting of the migration and asylum ministers of Greece, Denmark, Germany, Austria and the Netherlands in Copenhagen earlier this month. The five countries agreed on a roadmap covering the legal requirements and national timetables needed to implement the model, while technical contacts and consultations with potential third countries have already begun.

The main objective now is to reach an agreement with one or more countries outside the European Union that could host such a Hub. However, no specific country has so far been officially announced as the final partner, nor has any relevant agreement been signed.

What was agreed in Copenhagen

During the ministers’ meeting, agreement was confirmed on the basic principles of a Framework of Principles for future cooperation with third countries.

At the same time, according to Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris, agreement was reached on a “specific Roadmap of Legal Requirements and National Timetables”, so that the political agreement could be turned into practical planning. “In order to turn this political will into a tangible reality, we agreed today on a specific Roadmap of Legal Requirements and National Timetables,” Mr Plevris said after the meeting.

He also announced that technical meetings and consultations with candidate third countries had already begun, expressing the view that an agreement could be reached soon. “We are particularly optimistic that very soon we will be in a position to reach a mutually beneficial agreement that will put the model into practice,” he said.

Which countries are being considered

The issue of host countries remains the biggest outstanding question. Information and European sources mainly cite Rwanda and Uganda as countries at the center of discussions. The European Parliamentary Research Service has listed Rwanda, Uganda and Uzbekistan as countries that have been mentioned as possible locations for Return Hubs.

In September 2025, the Netherlands signed a letter of intent with Uganda on cooperation in the field of returns. The planned cooperation was abandoned by the new Dutch government that took office in February 2026, although this does not mean that the country has lost interest in the Return Hub model.

Uzbekistan is a different case. In May 2026, Austria signed an economic cooperation and migration agreement with the country, but this does not concern a Return Hub. At the same time, reports have mentioned it as a possible option, although Uzbekistan’s Foreign Ministry has stated that no relevant negotiations are taking place.

As for Rwanda, European countries have previously held discussions on the transfer of asylum seekers, including Denmark. The approaches in question had prompted reactions over human rights concerns.

Greece’s position

The Greek government views the Return Hub model as a tool for strengthening the return of people who are not entitled to international protection.

In Copenhagen, Thanos Plevris stressed that Greece links the implementation of the model to full compliance with the law. “The creation of Return Hubs will be based on full legality. This model will operate with full respect for European and international law,” he said.

At the same time, he linked the initiative to Greece’s position as a country on the EU’s external borders, arguing that the creation of such mechanisms constitutes an “imperative national necessity” for Athens. “We cannot allow Greece to become a permanent point of entrapment for those who are not entitled to international protection,” he said. Mr Plevris also argued that the aim is to create a returns system combining legal strictness, strategic planning and cooperation with international organisations.

What the new European framework provides for

The creation of Return Hubs is no longer merely a political discussion. The new European framework on returns provides for the possibility of creating such Centers in third countries.

The new system concerns people who do not have a legal right to remain in the EU and are subject to a return decision. The Centers can operate either as a destination or as an intermediate stop before return to the country of origin or another third country.

The basic requirement is that cooperation with the third country must be compatible with European and international law and safeguard fundamental rights, including the principle of non-refoulement. At the same time, return decisions remain individual and are subject to judicial review.

In any event, key issues remain unresolved, as the host country or countries have not yet been finalised, nor have the details of the operation, capacity and funding of the Return Hubs. The next meetings in Munich on 26 September and Brussels on 1 October are expected to mark the next steps, with the aim of reaching agreements.