Greece plans to open an African deportation center by 2027 amid ongoing migration challenges
In a notable shift in European migration policy, Greece has joined forces with Denmark, Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands in discussions focused on establishing return hubs in Africa. This initiative responds to the increasing influx of migrants, particularly through routes reminiscent of challenges faced by Italy. The heightened focus on migration management comes against the backdrop of a renewed influx observed in 2026.
The return hubs are envisioned as centers tasked with handling asylum applications and managing the return of individuals whose requests for residency are denied, a significant change from Italy’s earlier experience with similar centers in Albania. Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris disclosed in an interview with a media source that Athens intends to actively participate in this migration management project within a “yet-to-be-disclosed African country” during the latter half of 2027, coinciding with Greece’s presidency of the European Union.
Several African nations are under consideration for hosting these hubs, with Uganda and Rwanda frequently mentioned in discussions. Minister Plevris revealed plans for an upcoming meeting involving representatives from the four other nations engaged in the initiative, alongside the Director of the International Organization for Migration, to further strategize the development of these centers.
In addition to participating in the establishment of return hubs, Greece aims to propose a mechanism for exceptional measures to the upcoming European Council meeting on Internal Affairs, scheduled for October 1. This proposal is framed in response to unprecedented migratory crises, such as the recent situation in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, where over 70,000 migrants crossed the border from Morocco. Minister Plevris emphasized the need for unconventional measures during such crises, advocating for a swift response that includes the immediate issuance of deportation orders and accelerated repatriation processes in cases of mass migration.
As countries across Europe navigate the complexities of migration, Greece’s active role in this evolving narrative highlights the urgent discourse surrounding effective management strategies and collaboration within the continent.
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