Background: What are Return Hubs?
Return hubs are among the most controversial innovations in European migration policy. They were first proposed last year. Return hubs are repatriation centers located in third countries outside the EU. Several EU member states, including Germany, want to establish such centers.
The return hubs are intended to house people who do not have the right to reside in the EU or whose right to reside has been revoked, but who cannot be returned to their country of origin.
In most cases, the centers are intended to serve as a temporary stopover. From there, deportation to the country of origin or onward travel to another third country willing to accept the individual will later be arranged.
Under the new EU rules, however, return hubs cannot be used solely as stopover points. Under certain conditions, they may also serve as the final destination country for repatriation. It is not yet clear how long affected individuals would have to remain in return hubs.
The legal framework for the return hubs was adopted at the EU level in early June 2026. However, before return hubs can actually be established, the respective third countries must give their consent. This is because without an agreement with the third country in question, a return hub cannot be established on its territory.
According to the federal government, Germany has been holding talks with potential partner countries for several months now. Other EU countries are also involved in these talks.
Agreement on Return Hubs by the End of 2026?
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) has now provided some insight into the status of the negotiations. He explained that initial agreements on return hubs could still be reached by the end of 2026. The CSU politician made these remarks a few days ago on ZDF’s *Morgenmagazin*.
However, the signing of an agreement does not mean that the return hub can begin operations immediately. According to Dobrindt, such a return hub would first have to be built. That, too, would require additional time.
Dobrindt had already stated in early June that the search for suitable third countries was difficult. Many issues needed to be resolved. These include, among other things, funding, housing for the people affected, and the protection of their rights.
Who is supposed to be housed in return hubs?
This would primarily affect people without the right to reside in the country who are subject to an enforceable removal order. This may include individuals whose asylum applications have been definitively rejected or deemed inadmissible. This may be the case, for example, if someone entered the country via a safe third country or comes from a country of origin deemed safe.
In addition, other people without the right of residence could also be affected. This includes, for example, people whose visas or Residence permit have Residence permit but who have remained in the EU nonetheless.
A transfer to a return hub should take place when direct repatriation to the country of origin is not possible —for example, because travel documents are missing, the person’s identity has not been established, or the country of origin refuses to readmit its nationals.
Under current regulations, unaccompanied minors are not to be housed in return hubs. To date, there is no general exclusion for families with children.
In which countries are return hubs to be established?
So far, the only thing that is clear is that return hubs are to be established in third countries outside the European Union. Under the new EU rules, they may only be established in countries that comply with international human rights standards and observe the so-called principle of non-refoulement. This principle prohibits sending people back to countries where they face the risk of persecution, torture, or other serious human rights violations.
Specific locations for the return hubs established by Germany have not yet been determined. Federal Interior Minister Dobrindt has not publicly disclosed which third countries Germany is currently negotiating with.
Germany is collaborating with other EU member states on this project, primarily the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, and Greece. They intend to identify potential partner countries and clarify the practical and legal requirements for the centers.
Although it is not known with which countries Germany is currently negotiating regarding return hubs, the media repeatedly mentions twelve countries that are being considered as potential locations: Egypt, Armenia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Libya, Mauritania, Montenegro, Rwanda, Senegal, Tunisia, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
The countries mentioned are, as of now, potential or presumed locations. A German agreement with any of these countries has not yet been confirmed.
