Tegel airport to remain refugee accommodation until 2031

Berlin's largest refugee accommodation is located on the former airport site in Tegel.

Parts of the former airport site in Berlin-Tegel are to be used to accommodate refugees until the end of May 2031, which is significantly longer than planned.

This was decided by the Senate at its most recent meeting, as announced by the Senate Department for Labor, Social Affairs and Integration. However, there are to be significantly fewer places. Previously, it was planned to use buildings and partial areas until the end of 2025.

Central arrival center for asylum seekers and refugees

In addition, the former airport in north-west Berlin will temporarily house a central arrival center for asylum seekers and refugees. From next year, all refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Berlin will reportedly be registered and temporarily housed there. A total capacity of 2,600 places is planned. In the meantime, the numbers were several times higher.

Tegel used as an arrival center since 2022

Tegel was conceived as an arrival center in 2022 after the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. The refugees from Ukraine were initially supposed to stay there for a few days, but then travel on to other federal states or find accommodation elsewhere in Berlin.