Refugee shelter Tegel is being shut down by Messe Berlin
In a significant move, Messe Berlin GmbH has announced its withdrawal from managing the Tegel refugee shelter, marking the end of an era that saw the site serve as the largest emergency shelter in Germany for thousands of refugees over an extended period.
The decision, made on their own initiative and discussed with the state for some time, comes as the number of refugees in Tegel has decreased from around 5,500 to approximately 2,000. The refugees are scheduled to move out by the end of the year.
The Tegel project was initially designed as a reception center in response to the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Messe Berlin took over the setup at Tegel in 2022 on short notice and managed the real estate and security services at the Senate's request.
However, the shelter's operation was not without controversy. Criticism arose over the inhumane conditions on site and the high costs for operating the large shelter. Service providers billed the state 298 million euros for rental, operating, and security costs in 2023 alone.
Moreover, a report by the Berlin Court of Audit estimated that Messe Berlin had not sufficiently checked invoices for security service providers totaling 100 million euros for the years 2022 and 2023. Messe Berlin, however, denies this, stating that every invoice is thoroughly checked in a multi-stage approval process.
Messe Berlin intends to focus on its core business and gradually reduce its commitment in Tegel due to the growing event business. If desired, they will assist in the transition phase to ensure a smooth and efficient change.
Looking forward, a central Berlin arrival center for asylum seekers and refugees with 2,600 places is planned for the Tegel site. All refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Berlin will be registered and temporarily accommodated at this new center.
The Senate Department for Integration will name a new owner for the Tegel project in coordination with the relevant authorities. The results of the Berlin Court of Audit's work are generally published in the annual report, with the next annual report to be presented at the end of November.
For up-to-date and precise information on why Messe Berlin is withdrawing from Tegel and the specific plans for the future central arrival center, it is recommended to check recent official statements from Berlin authorities or news sources active in 2025, as this information is not available in the current search results.
- Despite facing criticism over high costs and inhumane conditions, Messe Berlin's policy-and-legislation decisions were discussed with the state regarding the Tegel refugee shelter, leading to their withdrawal after a significant period.
- With Messe Berlin's departure from Tegel, politics surrounding the management of refugee shelters may shift as the focus moves towards establishing a new central arrival center, a key piece of general-news in Berlin.
