Five EU nations, including Netherlands, push for migrant return hubs by 2027 — what it means for internationals

Five European Union countries — Germany, Austria, Greece, Denmark and the Netherlands, together known as the Group of Five — have agreed on concrete steps toward signing deals with a non-EU country to host migrant return facilities by 2027. Danish Immigration Minister Morten Bodskov told reporters on 4 September 2026 that a common understanding with a partner country is expected “around New Year,” though the host nation has not been named (Al Jazeera).

For internationals living in the Netherlands on residence permits, the immediate impact may be subtle — but the direction of travel matters. The Dutch government, already under pressure from coalition partner PVV to tighten migration policy, is doubling down on the idea of processing rejected asylum seekers and irregular migrants outside EU borders.

What are return hubs?

Return hubs are facilities in a third (non-EU) country where migrants who have no legal right to stay in the EU can be sent while their return to their country of origin is arranged, or where they can be offered a new start in the host country. The European Parliament approved an overhaul of migration policy in June 2026 that allows member states to set up such centres abroad, a move critics say could weaken safeguards for asylum seekers.

The Group of Five aims to sign deals with a host country this year, with a common understanding expected by early 2027. Bodskov said the five nations would be in dialogue with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), though a UNHCR spokesperson said the agency had not been approached with details and could not comment.

What does this mean for someone on a residence permit?

For the vast majority of internationals in the Netherlands — think of knowledge migrants, students, or family reunification holders — a return hub deal does not directly affect your status. The policy is aimed at people whose asylum applications have been rejected, or who are in the country without papers.

However, the broader message is that EU migration policy is hardening. The Dutch coalition government (PVV, VVD, NSC, BBB) has already pushed through stricter border controls and faster asylum procedures. If return hubs become operational, the Netherlands could begin transferring rejected asylum seekers to a third country rather than keeping them in Dutch reception centres — potentially shortening waiting times for everyone in the system, but also raising legal questions about whether third countries are safe.

The bigger picture: a European trend

The Group of Five is not alone in seeking external processing centres. Italy has struck migration-related deals with Albania, and the UK’s (now scrapped) Rwanda scheme set a controversial precedent. The Dutch government, meanwhile, has also been active on other fronts: on 24 September 2026, it signed a €71.4 million deal with Australian company Electro Optic Systems to co-develop a laser drone-defense system (NL Times), showing that defence and border security are also high on the agenda.

And on 7 September 2026, Austria — one of the Group of Five — enforced a ban on Islamic headscarves for girls under 14 in schools, citing gender equality (BBC). While not directly linked to the return hub plan, the move reflects the same political current: a push to restrict migration and integrate newcomers on tougher terms.

What to watch next

The Group of Five is set to reconvene in Munich at the end of September 2026. That meeting may reveal which non-EU country has been approached. Possible candidates are often discussed: Tunisia, Morocco, or even a Balkan state. Any deal will need to pass scrutiny under EU and international law, and the UNHCR’s eventual position will be critical.

For internationals in the Netherlands, the key takeaway is that the migration debate is not cooling off. While your own permit is likely safe, the overall climate is becoming more restrictive — and that can affect everything from public attitudes to how easily you navigate the IND bureaucracy.

Practical tip: If you are an asylum seeker or supporting someone who is, start familiarising yourself with the new EU migration rules and the possibility of third-country processing. For everyone else: keep your documents in order, and stay informed via reliable sources like IND.nl or legal aid organisations.