Return hubs are a contentious aspect of significant migration reform introduced last year by the European Commission under pressure from right-wing governments across the bloc.
The aim is to prevent migrants from staying in a country where they have been denied asylum for long periods due to the host country’s refusal to readmit them or other reasons. Establishing centers to process asylum applications outside the EU follows a similar rationale — prioritizing migrants for entry whose applications are approved.
The first non-EU return hub, whose location is still under negotiation with several non-EU governments, would likely be utilized not only by the Netherlands but also by Greece, Germany, Austria, and Denmark, all of which support stricter migration controls into the EU.
The Netherlands is collaborating with Denmark, Malta, and Sweden on options for processing asylum applications outside Europe, according to an EU diplomat who requested anonymity to discuss the plans. Italy has a similar arrangement with Albania since late 2023, but Rome’s setup is experimental and has faced several legal challenges.
The Dutch government informed the parliament over the weekend that there are no legal barriers to establishing the return hub and external asylum processing center, following a legal review by Clingendael, a think tank.
While the location of the facility has not been announced, discussions are ongoing with several candidate countries, and a deal is expected within the next six to seven months, according to the same diplomat.
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