The Dutch government is pushing forward with initiatives to create “return hubs” located outside the EU for deporting migrants and handling asylum applications.
This proposal reportedly outlines “concrete steps” toward being realized and will be developed in the coming months.
The government has shared a letter with Parliament indicating that, following a legal evaluation, there are no barriers to setting up a return point and conducting external asylum procedures. This review was done by the Hague-based think tank Clingendaal.
The plan aims to address the problem of migrants being stuck in a country when their asylum requests are denied, particularly if their home country refuses to accept them back.
“There’s a clear demand across Europe for reliable solutions to regain control over migration,” stated Bart van den Brink, the Netherlands’ Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Refugees and Immigration.
He added, “These solutions are progressively being shaped and have shown to be legally feasible.”
An unnamed EU diplomat mentioned to that both the Netherlands and other countries such as Denmark, Malta, and Sweden are exploring options for processing asylum claims outside of Europe. This would align with the return hubs concept, focusing on those who have received asylum.
The Dutch government, under Prime Minister Rob Jetten, is in discussions with potential nations for establishing these centers, with an announcement on the first repatriation hub expected in about six to seven months, according to officials.
“The objective is not to turn this into a mere political performance but to actually follow the legal processes to ensure the plan succeeds,” the source was quoted as saying.
Details revealed that the first repatriation hubs included in the Dutch proposal would not just be established in the Netherlands, but also in countries like Germany, Austria, Denmark, and Greece. These nations are urging the EU to adopt a firmer approach to handle the ongoing migration challenges, including the creation of return hubs in third countries for deporting illegal migrants.
The announcement coincides with the EU beginning negotiations for a new Migration and Asylum Agreement, paving the way for the establishment of a migrant return hub within the EU.
This new EU Migration Agreement is set to come into effect on June 12, 2026.
