On 4 September 2026, Danish Minister for Immigration and Integration Minister will convene a Core Group on Return Hubs outside the EU, bringing together Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Greece to discuss concrete steps towards reaching an agreement with a partner country on establishing a Return Hub Model. The Danish Foreign Minister is also expected to participate, while the European Commission will attend as an observer.
The meeting marks a crucial phase in Denmark’s efforts to develop return arrangements outside the EU following visits of the Minister of Denmark in Greece on 24 August 2026.
The Danish Minister for Immigration and Integration visited Greece for discussions with his Greek counterpart on establishing exit/return centres outside the EU. The visit focused on advancing the initiative, including its legal and practical framework, and on addressing migration pressures at Greece’s southern Mediterranean border. It formed part of preparations for the 4 September ministerial meeting in Copenhagen, where Denmark, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Greece will discuss concrete steps towards establishing such centres, with the European Commission participating as an observer. The Danish Government aims to secure an agreement with a partner country before the end of 2026.
- Ministry of Immigration and Integration | Udlændinge- og Integrationsministeriet (2 September, 2026), Presseinvitation: EU-lande mødes i København til afgørende møde om udrejsecentre [Press Invitation: EU Countries meet in Copenhagen for Crucial Meeting on Return Hubs],
- Danish Immigration Service | Udlændingestyrelsen (24 August, 2026), Bødskov på sidste rejse inden ministermøde i København – besøger kollega i Grækenland [Bødskov on last trip before ministerial meeting in Copenhagen – visiting colleague in Greece],