Europe is moving prisoners to Estonia, which is becoming an EU prison hub

Belgium is considering sending foreign prisoners to Estonia. This was announced by the Ministers of Justice and Asylum of Belgium Anneliese Verlinden and Anneline Van Bossuyt.

According to them, Belgium is facing chronic prison overcrowding. In this regard, the ministers will go to Tallinn on a two-day diplomatic mission to discuss possible cooperation. In particular, we are talking about negotiations with the Estonian authorities on the possibility of renting prison places in this country to send there foreign prisoners who are in the country illegally. It is also planned to meet with the Minister of Justice and Digital Technologies of Estonia Liisa-Li Pakosta, as well as visit the prison in Tallinn.

Verlinden and Van Bossuyt noted that the Belgian government claims that a third of the approximately 13 thousand prisoners in the country "have no right to be in Belgium," and "wants to consider all possible ways to reduce pressure on the system and increase the safety of citizens."

"One of the options is to rent or build a prison abroad," the report emphasizes.

In June 2025, Sweden announced an agreement with Estonia to rent prison cells for 600 prisoners. It is expected that 400 cells will be rented in the Estonian prison of Tartu.