Spain stands alone as EU backs return centres for migrants

The EU’s migration debate took a sharp turn this week after home affairs ministers backed a tougher line on returns, opening the door to processing rejected asylum seekers outside Europe. While most countries signed up, Spain broke ranks—exposing a widening divide between Madrid and the broader European bloc on migration, defence and long-term strategy.

After years of political stalemate, EU ministers in Brussels approved stricter measures designed to speed up the deportation of people who are not granted asylum. At the heart of the reform is the creation of ‘

The idea marks one of the most significant shifts in European migration policy since the 2015 refugee crisis. Under the plan, individuals could be sent to any country the EU classifies as safe, regardless of whether they have personal or historical ties to that destination.

This list spans North Africa, Latin America and Asia, including Morocco, Colombia, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Kosovo and Tunisia. EU candidate countries such as Serbia, Albania and Turkey are also considered suitable.

Supporters argue that shifting procedures outside the EU could break the business model of smuggling networks and ease pressure on southern member states. Critics say it risks undermining humanitarian protections and exporting Europe’s responsibilities.

Spain pushes back—but stands alone

Spain’s Interior Minister, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, took a firm stance against the proposal. He warned that offshoring asylum procedures raises legal, political and ethical concerns, particularly when relying on third countries whose cooperation is crucial in wider diplomatic and economic partnerships.

Madrid’s position aligns with its broader, long-standing approach to migration, which prioritises bilateral cooperation and humanitarian safeguards. Spain was joined by France and Portugal in questioning how safe third countries are defined—but when ministers turned to the issue of return centres specifically, Spain found itself entirely isolated. No other government voiced opposition.

For many EU states, the urgency of irregular crossings—alongside repeated tragedies in the Mediterranean—has strengthened the argument for tougher external controls. Denmark’s interior minister, Rasmus Stoklund, captured this sentiment bluntly, saying the current system “creates a pull effect” and fuels smuggling networks.

Political momentum shifts to Brussels

The package now moves to the European Parliament, where approval is expected to be straightforward. The European Commission has already encouraged member states to adopt “innovative solutions” to a system widely seen as overstretched and too slow.

Alongside the return-centre plan, ministers also endorsed relocating 21,000 asylum seekers from countries facing the strongest pressures. The amount agreed—€420 million—is significantly lower than the 30,000 relocations and €600 million originally proposed by Spain and the Commission.

A broader pattern of Spanish divergence

The meeting in Brussels highlights a trend increasingly visible in European politics: Spain’s positions are drifting away from the emerging consensus. Whether on migration reform, increases in defence spending, or the pace of the green transition, Madrid is carving out its own path.

While several NATO members are pushing military budgets above the 2% GDP threshold, Spain has been clear it does not plan to follow at the same pace. The same friction now appears in migration, where Spain’s more collaborative and rights-focused approach contrasts sharply with northern and central European calls for external processing and faster removals.

Migration debate intensifies

A shifting European landscape

As the Parliament prepares to formalise the package, Spain faces a delicate balancing act. It wants to maintain strong ties with partner countries—especially in North Africa—while contributing to the EU’s collective response to migration pressure.

But Monday’s meeting showed how quickly the bloc is moving towards a system centred on external management and stricter returns. Whether Spain can reshape the debate, or whether it will continue to stand apart, may define Madrid’s role in EU migration policy in the years ahead.

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