Refugees have often been either excluded from recent studies on transnationalism or treated as exceptions to the rule. By contrast, this paper proposes one way of incorporating them more fully into the literature. The paper charts the transition of refugees into transnationals, focusing on the case of Eritreans in the UK and Germany. It suggests that three processes have been instrumental in this transition. Eirst, despite the recognition of Eritrean independence in 1991, most refugees chose not to return, instead securing their statuses in their host countries. Second, notwithstanding this decision, most Eritreans have developed lasting links with their communities and country of origin. Finally, as a result of the current conflict with Ethiopia, the Eritrean state has taken steps to institutionalize the Eritrean diaspora. The paper concludes by considering the wider applicability of this case-study with reference to three possible qualifications: the extent to which the transition has applied to all Eritreans overseas; the extent to which other refugee communities might be expected to undergo a similar transition; and the extent to which the transition is permanent.