Return hubs are a controversial element in a major migration reform presented last year by the European Commission under pressure from right-wing governments around the bloc.
The idea is to avoid having migrants remain in a country where they have been refused asylum for extended periods because their host country won’t readmit them or for other reasons. Setting up centers to process asylum applications outside the EU follows a similar logic — prioritizing migrants for entry whose applications have been approved.
The first non-EU return hub, whose location has yet to be announced amid ongoing talks with several non-EU governments, would likely be used not just by the Netherlands but also by Greece, Germany, Austria and Denmark, all countries that have backed a push to crack down on migration into the EU.
The Netherlands is working with Denmark, Malta and Sweden on options for processing asylum applications outside Europe, per an EU diplomat who was granted anonymity to discuss the plans. Italy has had a similar arrangement with Albania since late 2023, but Rome’s setup is experimental and has drawn several legal challenges.
The Dutch government informed the country’s parliament over the weekend that it saw no legal obstacle to setting up the return hub and external asylum processing center following a legal review carried out by Clingendael, a think tank.
While the government hasn’t yet announced a location for the facility, talks are ongoing with several candidate countries and a deal to establish it is likely to be announced within the next six to seven months, per the same diplomat.