European lawmakers are set to give final approval on Wednesday to a major overhaul of the EU’s migration policy, introducing stricter rules on the detention and deportation of irregular migrants, including provisions that allow the creation of return centres outside the bloc.
The vote in Strasbourg represents one of the final steps in a reform package that has moved through the EU’s lengthy legislative process as member states respond to growing political pressure to reduce migration levels.
EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner defended the reforms, saying the new rules ensure that “it is us and not the smugglers deciding who can stay in the European Union and who must leave.”
A key element of the legislation is the introduction of so-called “return hubs” in non-EU countries. These centres would house migrants who have no legal right to remain in Europe and are awaiting deportation. Several countries, including Denmark, Austria, Greece, Germany, and the Netherlands, have already explored such arrangements.
The proposal has gained further momentum after a majority of EU member states agreed to seek EU funding for such facilities, although France and Spain have expressed opposition. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said the goal is to have initial agreements in place in 2026, with operations beginning in 2027.
Under the new rules, migrants who fail to comply with return orders or are considered security risks could be detained for up to two years. Authorities would also gain expanded powers to search individuals and their property to enforce deportations.
Human rights organisations have strongly criticised the reforms, warning they could stigmatise migrants and lead to detention practices similar to “offshore” systems seen in other countries. Critics, including members of the European Parliament, described the move as a deeply troubling shift in Europe’s migration approach.
After parliamentary approval, the legislation will still require formal endorsement by EU member states before becoming law.
