Bavaria's Initial Asylum Seeker Centers See a Decrease in Crowds
Schools Experiencing Lighter Student Population Compared to Previous Academic Year - Decreased usage of Anchorage shelters observed in the past year
Going by the numbers, Bavaria's reception centers for asylum seekers are less cramped than they were last year. As of late May, roughly 8,700 individuals were living in these centers—that's roughly 2,200 less than a year ago, when there were about 10,900 in residence. By early January, around 10,250 migrants were housed here.
Despite the general trend, Upper Franconia, one of the government districts, stands out as the only location experiencing an increase compared to last May. The Interior Ministry records show approximately 1,200 people there, 200 fewer than a year ago.
Bamberg on a Notable Downward Trajectory
The drop is particularly significant in the Bamberg reception center in Upper Franconia. It was housing 1,500 people in May 2024, but now the occupancy has dwindled to just 700 asylum seekers as per the Interior Ministry's latest report.
This center's future has been a bone of contention for months—the city of Bamberg envisions distributing refugees more evenly across its territory, while Bavaria wants to maintain the operation of the center. The state government's argument is that there's no other suitable property in Upper Franconia that the federal government would offer free of charge. Initially, it had been agreed that the center's operation would cease by the end of 2025. Ongoing discussions between the municipality and the state government are trying to chart the concrete way forward.
Bavaria houses a reception center in each of its seven government districts. Some districts operate large centers while others manage several branches for initial reception.
90% of Follow-up Accommodation Places Occupied
The reception centers serve as interim accommodations for the newly arrived refugees. Their primary purpose is to consolidate efforts from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees, the Federal Employment Agency, youth welfare offices, justice, immigration authorities and speed up asylum procedures and deportation of those ineligible to stay.
These migration facilities in Bavaria have a capacity of more than 12,000 beds.
According to the Interior Ministry, 90% of the follow-up accommodation places are occupied: out of around 136,000 available spots, approximately 122,400 were filled by early June. The distribution of migrants follows a legally defined quota.
Secrets Behind the Shrinking Numbers in Bavaria
- A plunge in asylum applications, with an over 50% decrease in 2025 compared to the preceding year, seems to be a major factor contributing to fewer individuals residing in these centers.
- A marked reduction in irregular migration, from 127,549 in 2023 to 22,170 in 2025, could also lead to a lowered number of asylum seekers.
- Tightened border controls have been a factor in reducing un authorized entries into the country.
- Swifter handling of older asylum cases by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees might also account for the drop in numbers.
- The decrease in asylum seekers in Bavaria's reception centers could be attributed to a 50% drop in asylum applications this year, as well as a significant reduction in irregular migration.
- Political discussions regarding the future of the Bamberg reception center in Upper Franconia are ongoing, as the city prefers to distribute refugees evenly while the state government argues for maintaining the center due to a lack of suitable alternative properties.
