Greece Leads EU Pilot to Transfer Rejected Asylum Seekers Outside the Bloc

Greece is coordinating a group of five European Union member states—Greece, Denmark, Austria, Germany and the Netherlands—to launch a pilot program that would send asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected to third-country destinations. The initiative is slated to begin in the first half of 2027, with full operation expected later that year, coinciding with Greece’s EU presidency. Rwanda is identified as the initial partner, while Uganda and Uzbekistan are also under consideration. Under the proposal, individuals whose claims are denied would either return to their country of origin or be transferred to one of the designated third countries; the plan does not involve the creation of “return centers” or closed camps.

Greece: Asylum seekers with rejected claims must leave the EU as soon as possible Greece leads push to send rejected asylum seekers outside the EU

The proposal emerges amid a decade-long migration crisis that has intensified political debate across Europe. Member states have struggled to manage irregular arrivals and to balance humanitarian obligations with domestic pressures. The pilot is presented as a mechanism to increase voluntary returns and to provide a contingency for “emergency situations” when migratory flows surge.

Greece: Asylum seekers with rejected claims must leave the EU as soon as possible

Greek Migration Minister Athanasios Plevris emphasized that the scheme is not intended to establish detention-type facilities abroad. He noted that the participating countries are consulting international organisations to devise oversight procedures that safeguard human-rights standards in the host nations. Plevris also asserted that Greece will protect its borders in line with international law and will not apologize for doing so. Additionally, he indicated that the five governments will jointly fund the project while seeking eventual involvement from the European Commission.

Greece leads push to send rejected asylum seekers outside the EU

The financial burden of the pilot will be shared among the five participating states. Representatives are currently discussing monitoring arrangements with relevant organisations to ensure compliance with human-rights obligations. The plan is described as “financially realistic” and is intended to complement other measures, such as the temporary suspension of new asylum applications during periods of heightened migratory pressure.

Greece: Asylum seekers with rejected claims must leave the EU as soon as possible

• “We’re not talking about centers, in the sense that someone whose asylum is rejected is sent to a closed facility in a third country,” — Athanasios Plevris, Greek migration minister

Greece leads push to send rejected asylum seekers outside the EU

• “Greece protects its borders in accordance with international law, and it says frankly that it will not apologise to anyone for protecting its borders.” — Athanasios Plevris, Greek migration minister

Greece leads push to send rejected asylum seekers outside the EU