Five EU states meet in Copenhagen to discuss deportation centres outside the Union

On 4 September 2026 five European Union countries — Germany, Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Greece — met in Copenhagen to discuss plans to set up migrant return centres in countries outside the EU, a spokesperson for the German Federal Ministry of the Interior said.

The participating states want to create facilities where migrants who are to be deported from the EU would be accommodated while returns are organised. Preliminary talks with potential partner countries have already begun, the spokesperson added.

Confidentiality and next steps

"Because of the confidentiality necessary to build trust in the talks, the names of potential partner countries will not be disclosed for now," the spokesperson said. The five governments say the measure is intended to secure reliable agreements with third countries to speed up returns.

The meeting was hosted by Denmark's Minister for Immigration and Integration, Morten Bødskov. According to the Danish Government, the aim of the talks is to identify concrete steps toward reaching an agreement with one partner country.

The European Commission took part in the meeting in an observer capacity.

Discussions about outsourcing return procedures to non‑EU states raise legal and political sensitivities inside the Union and beyond; participating governments say the current talks are at an early stage and focused on practical arrangements rather than immediate decisions.

Photo: press material from the event