Morten Bødskov, Denmark's minister for immigration and integration, said in a press release that Denmark expects to be ready to send the first people without legal residence to a return center in a partner country outside the EU before the end of 2027. ^[1] The European Parliament voted in June 2026 in favor of new rules that pave the way for establishing return centers outside the EU. ^[2] Representatives from Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece, and the Netherlands discussed a project for establishing migrant return centers in non-EU states at a meeting in Copenhagen. ^[3] Senior officials from Germany, Austria, Greece, Denmark and the Netherlands said in 2025 that the group, known as the Group of Five, has agreed on concrete steps towards a deal with an unspecified non-EU country to host migrant return facilities. ^[4] The Danish government said there is now broad support in the EU to take the next steps toward establishing the return centers. ^[5] A spokesperson for the German Ministry of the Interior stated that the five governments have already initiated discussions with possible partner countries outside the EU for the establishment of return centers. ^[6] German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated that Germany intends to conclude concrete agreements with non-EU states by the end of the year. ^[7] The proposed centers are intended to receive persons who have an obligation to leave an EU member state but cannot be returned to their country of origin. ^[8] German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the group wants to reach an agreement with third countries this year to enable the establishment of return hubs. ^[9] The Council of Europe said in July 2025 that the proposed return hubs posed 'considerable human rights risks'. ^[10] The European Parliament in June 2025 approved an overhaul of migration policy aimed at speeding up deportations and allowing member states to set up centres abroad. ^[11]