Fedasil reduces reception capacity for unaccompanied foreign minors
Fedasil has announced a further reduction in the number of reception places for unaccompanied foreign minors (MENA), with 279 places set to be withdrawn from the network by 1 September 2025. The measure, approved in April, comes in response to the continuing decline in arrivals observed since 2023. Most of the places concerned will be converted into generic reception places.
At the beginning of 2024, the MENA reception network in Belgium included up to 3.500 places. Since then, the number of arrivals has decreased, prompting Fedasil to gradually reduce dedicated capacity. As of mid-2025, the network comprises around 3.000 places, with an overall occupancy rate of 75%, even accounting for the presence of other target groups.
The upcoming reduction involves 75 places in the first phase of reception (across Fedasil centres) and 204 places in the second phase (across both Fedasil centres and partner facilities). While some places will be closed, the majority will be repurposed to accommodate other groups for whom demand remains high, particularly families and single adults. Fedasil continues to closely monitor the situation and will adjust capacity as needs evolve.
For further details please read the press release from Fedasil in French or in Dutch.