The new decree-law issued on 28 March 2025 introduces a significant development in Italian migration law: migrants already present on Italian territory and subject to expulsion orders may now be transferred to and detained in Albania. Specifically, the facility located in Gjadër is to be formally designated as a Centro per il Rimpatrio (CPR, or Return Detention Centre).
This legislative measure aligns, at least in principle, with the European Commission’s proposal for the establishment of a common European return system. The proposed EU framework seeks to streamline return procedures, enhance their effectiveness, and enable the legal creation of “return hubs” in third countries. These hubs are intended to facilitate the repatriation of individuals illegally residing in the European Union who are subject to a final expulsion decision.
By extending the applicability of return measures beyond national borders and into a non-EU state, the Italian government is navigating complex intersections of international law, human rights obligations, and supranational EU policy. The legal basis and potential challenges, particularly regarding compliance with the principle of non-refoulement and due process guarantees, are expected to prompt further academic and judicial scrutiny.