In a move to overhaul Belgium’s deportation and detention strategy, Minister of Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA) and Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) traveled to Tallinn in early February. The high-level visit aimed to assess the viability of a model that would see foreign nationals without legal residency in Belgium detained in Estonian facilities.
During the mission, the ministers inspected local prison infrastructure and held consultations with their Estonian counterparts. The proposal specifically targets undocumented individuals who have no legal right to remain on Belgian soil but cannot be immediately deported to their home countries.
Van Bossuyt said:
Anyone staying illegally in our country and committing crimes has no future here. Returning to the country of origin remains the first option, but if that’s not possible, we’ll look at detention outside Belgium.
The initiative is said to be inspired by a recent deal between Sweden and Estonia made in summer 2025, which secured around 400 prison cells for Sweden in Estonia. Approximately 600 prisoners have already been relocated.