EU could propose 'return hubs' for irregular migrants by March 2025, Swedish PM says

Jan 2, 2025 -  The European Union could be ready to present a proposal for ‘return hubs’ outside its borders to handle irregular migration as early as March 2025, according to Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Speaking during a visit to Vienna, Kristersson said EU leaders were considering the creation of centres in third-party countries where migrants with no right to stay in the EU could be sent. The plan follows discussions among EU officials in October, and Kristersson confirmed that EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner would outline a blueprint for the project in the spring.

Kristersson’s comments come after a meeting with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, who shares a conservative stance on immigration and has been pushing for more decisive action from the EU on the issue. Nehammer noted that public opinion on immigration has shifted significantly, with more EU countries now engaging in the migration debate.

"Only when we recognise that the problem must be solved together do we have a chance of making progress," Nehammer said.

He also praised Kristersson for keeping immigration a central issue on the EU agenda, adding that 18 European countries, primarily EU members, now align on the need to curb migration.

As the EU grapples with rising far-right support, migration remains one of its most pressing challenges. With Germany’s general elections next month, the topic of asylum and migration continues to dominate the political landscape, particularly as the country hosts the largest number of asylum seekers in the EU.