Amid high expectations, the European Commission presented a ‘New Common European System for Returns’ on 11 March, featuring a proposal for a Regulation that would repeal the 2008 Return Directive. Among other objectives, the reform aims to harmonise procedures and accelerate the return process of third-country nationals without the right to stay in the EU. Additionally, renewed focus is on incentivising voluntary return and systematising readmission cooperation with third countries. The proposal also introduces the legal possibility for establishing “return hubs”.

This hybrid Policy Dialogue will be divided into two panels, which will unpack the proposal and reflect more broadly on the EU’s new approach, placing equal attention on legal, political and practical implications.