Belgium has currently a capacity of 35.800 places in the reception network. However, more places are needed to accommodate all the applicants for international protection who are entitled to reception. Almost 2.800 applicants (single men) are currently listed on the waiting list to receive a place in the reception network.

Fedasil can make use of additional places during the winter in sites that are generally unoccupied outside the tourist season. In this regard, Fedasil opened a centre in Bredene on 23 October 2024 in a building used to accommodate school groups. The site has a capacity of 238 places and will be used by Fedasil until mid-March 2025. Fedasil also opened a centre in Theux on 4 November 2024 in a campsite that can accommodate 250 applicants for international protection. The site is available for six months. Both sites had already been used as temporary reception centres in the past, during crises or winters.

For further details, pleaser read the press release from Fedasil.