In accordance with the information available to the Commission, one of the centres established on Albanian territory on the basis of the bilateral protocol with Albania can be used as a pre-removal detention centre subject to Italian law and jurisdiction. This is an intermediate step before an illegally staying third-country national is returned to a third country.

The Return Directive[1] sets out common standards and procedures for the return of illegally staying third-country nationals, including on detention for the purpose of removal, in accordance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU and international law, including the right to asylum and the principle of non-refoulement.

Last updated: 3 July 2025