![Largest refugee accommodation in Berlin situated on the former airfield in Tegel. [Archive image]...](/en/img/20250530224334_image-description-headline.jpeg)
Refugee housing in Berlin-Tegel extended until 2031 - Berlin-Tegel refugee housing facilities to persist until 2031's end, extended running duration.
Berlin Refugee Shelter at Tegel Airport to Operate Until 2031
The Berlin Senate has announced that the refugee shelter housed at the former Tegel Airport site will continue to operate until at least May 2031. Initially scheduled to close by the end of 2025, the extended usage will centralize tasks related to the arrival of refugees following the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS).
Beginning next year, the central arrival center for asylum seekers and refugees in Berlin will register and temporarily accommodate all arrivals. This shift will reduce the capacity for accommodating refugees to approximately 2,600 places. The centralized location will oversee the mandatory screening procedure for asylum seekers, including checks on identity, health, protection needs, and security.
Tegel will allocate 600 places for individuals undergoing the screening process and another 2,000 places for those who have completed it. However, critics have raised concerns regarding the suitability of large-scale accommodations like Tegel, which have faced criticism in the past due to expensive costs and poor conditions. In response to these concerns, the large-scale accommodation will be gradually reduced.
The Senate's decision will primarily concern the old Terminal C and adjacent open spaces of the airport. Future plans for these areas include the relocation of the Berlin University of Technology (BHT) to Terminal A and the establishment of the Urban Tech Republic founding center in the former Terminal B. A residential development, the Schumacher Quarter, is also planned on the site.
As the Tegel shelter continues its operation, discussions regarding sustainable and community-focused housing solutions for refugees are gaining prominence. Efforts are shifting towards crafting refugee accommodations that foster a sense of belonging and community for those seeking refuge.
[Berlin, Germany, Migration, Refugees, Integration]
The Berlin Senate's decision to operate the refugee shelter at Tegel Airport until 2031 shows a shift in employment policy, as it provides jobs for personnel managing the shelter and aligns with politics concerning migration and general-news, such as the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). This controversial development, which lies at the center of general-news, raises questions about the long-term accommodation of refugees in the community, with an emphasis on creating more sustainable, community-focused solutions, such as the development of the Schumacher Quarter.
