Belgium has over 35.000 reception places in total. The network comprises both collective and individual reception structures. The collective structures are reception centres managed by Fedasil, the Red Cross of Belgium or other partners. The individual structures are housing managed by the Public Centres for Social Welfare, also known as ‘local reception initiatives’ (LOIs), or by NGOs. Asylum seekers residing in local reception initiatives receive the same material assistance as those residing in the collective reception centres while awaiting a decision on their application.

On 1 January 2021, local reception initiatives in Belgium had a total of 5.955 places, but this number has decreased consistently over the past few years. On 1 January 2025, there were only 4.115 places available, a decrease of more than 30 % compared to four years ago. The LOIs now account for 11% of the total reception capacity, compared to more than 21% in 2021. According to Groen MP Matti Vandemaele, "Small-scale reception is more humane, cheaper and also very much needed at the moment to deal with the reception crisis". The Cabinet of the Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration points to the tight housing market as a cause, arguing that it is up to each municipality to decide how much of their housing they can make available to asylum seekers. “That housing shortage also makes it difficult for recognised refugees to find something on the regular rental market, which is why many stay in reception centres for too long”, she explains.

Belgium has been facing a shortage of reception places since the summer of 2021. Last week, the Flemish Red Cross reported that 2.800 asylum seekers still cannot secure a place in the reception network due to insufficient capacity.

For further information, please read this press release in English or this press release in Dutch.