Refugees Evacuate Tegel Shelter for Renovation Work - Migrant Accommodation Tegel Undergoes Renovation, Leading to Residents Relocating
In a significant move, the Berlin Senate has decided to convert the area of the former Tegel Airport into a central arrival center for refugees, with the aim to accommodate up to 2,600 individuals. The decision, made in May, follows repeated criticism of the emergency shelter at Tegel, which was one of the largest in Germany and faced criticism for inhumane conditions in the past.
A member of the SPD party and the Berlin Senate, Kiziltepe, has emphasised that the lightweight halls in Tegel are not a long-term solution due to their expense, lack of privacy, and unsuitability for integration. Kiziltepe also stated that a real arrival was not possible in Tegel.
Refugees will be temporarily accommodated in container buildings at the new center, while during renovation, they will be accommodated elsewhere in the city. All tasks related to the arrival and registration of refugees will be centralized at the new center.
Kiziltepe's comments were made to the "Tagesspiegel". The Berlin Senate has also decided to use the Tegel area until at least May 2031. Since last October, the number of residents at the Tegel shelter has been reduced from 5,500 to the latest 2,000, with people being moved to better quality and regular accommodations in the past months.
Thousands of people, including asylum seekers, were accommodated at the Tegel shelter for a prolonged period. The previous lightweight halls at the Tegel refugee shelter will not be used at the new center. Construction of the new arrival center according to new EU guidelines will begin in 2026.
However, specific public statements about the exact start date and duration of construction or renovation at Tegel for this purpose have not been clearly issued or widely reported as of July 2025. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to check official Berlin Senate press releases or news sources focused on Berlin urban development and refugee policy.
The Tegel refugee shelter will be vacated by the end of the year for renovation. The new arrival center is expected to significantly improve the living conditions for refugees and provide a more suitable long-term solution for managing arrivals and registrations in Berlin.
- The new central arrival center for refugees in Berlin aims to implement a community policy that prioritizes the well-being and integration of individual refugees.
- Science plays a crucial role in understanding the medical-conditions and chronic-diseases that many refugees may face, such as chronic-kidney-disease, COPD, type-2-diabetes, and cancer.
- Workplace-wellness and addressing specific health-and-wellness needs are essential elements of the employment policy for refugees, as they prepare for integration into the workforce.
- The workplace-wellness strategy should also take into account digestive-health, eye-health, hearing, fitness-and-exercise, sexual-health, family-health, and mental-health considerations.
- For individuals with serious conditions like Alzheimer's disease, autoimmune-disorders, or migraines, therapies-and-treatments and proper nutrition will be vital for their well-being.
- As many refugees arrive with a lack of resources, skin-care and hygiene products will be provided to ensure good overall health and personal care.
- Aging, especially among elderly refugees, is a concern that requires attention, with focus on health services and weight-management.
- Womens-health and reproductive health services will be made available in the new center, addressing the unique needs of female refugees.
- Parenting education and support will be essential services to help refugee families navigate their new environment and provide for their children's needs.
- In addition to health-focused services, education and skills-training programs will be implemented as part of the employment policy to help refugees become self-sufficient.
- The automotive, aviation, manufacturing, retail, oil-and-gas, and banking-and-insurance industries will be potential sectors for refugees to find employment, depending on their skills and qualifications.
- Renewable-energy, climate-change, and environmental-science initiatives will provide opportunities for refugees with backgrounds in these fields to contribute their knowledge and help address pressing global issues.
- Finance and energy sectors are also important areas where refugees can seek employment, particularly those with relevant qualifications or experience.
- Public-transit, transportation, and construction industries will offer employment opportunities as well, with training and qualifications provided as needed.
- In addition to employment opportunities, mental-health services will be crucial for refugees to cope with the stress and trauma of displacement and resettlement.
- For men, mens-health services will provide essential care tailored to their unique needs, while for women, gynecological-health and obstetrics services will be prioritized within women's-health services.
- Specific support for those with neurological-disorders, such as multiple-sclerosis or neurological-diseases such as epilepsy, will be provided to ensure appropriate care.
- Breast-cancer awareness and screening programs will be available within the new center for female refugees, particularly those of childbearing age.
- Skin-conditions like psoriasis will be addressed through dermatology services within the new center.
- The new arrival center aims to create a safe and welcoming environment for refugees, ensuring their human rights are respected and protected.
- Post-arrival orientation and support services will be provided to help refugees navigate the city and its resources, promoting self-sufficiency and integration into Berlin society.
- The new arrival center will also prioritize education and language training programs to help refugees learn German and prepare for integration into the local school system.
- The new center will work closely with industry partners, including medical-facilities, to ensure that refugees with medical-needs receive appropriate care and support.
- The new center will also offer resources and services for those with specific conditions, such as Medicaid (Medicare) or assistance with CBD (Cannabidiol) products.
- Industry partnerships will be essential for job placement and skills training opportunities, helping refugees find meaningful employment and contribute to Berlin's economy.
- The new arrival center will promote family health by providing resources for both parents and children, such as parenting support groups and child-care services.
- The new arrival center aims to be a central hub for community support and resources, fostering a sense of belonging and connection amongst refugees as they transition into their new lives in Berlin.
