The number of asylum seekers in Berlin has increased by more than a third this year compared to the same period last year. According to the social administration, around 9,900 people had been admitted by the end of August, not counting Ukrainians. In 2022 there were around 7,200 asylum seekers in the first eight months. The number of arrivals has risen continuously since April, according to information from the State Office for Refugee Affairs (LAF).
While around 770 people seeking protection were admitted in February, in August there were more than twice as many, namely almost 1,900. Since April, more asylum seekers have been accepted in Berlin every month than war refugees from Ukraine who do not have to apply for asylum.
According to the social administration, most people come from Turkey, Syria, Afghanistan, Georgia and Moldova. Unfortunately, there is a lack of living space to properly accommodate those seeking protection who remain in Berlin, LAF spokeswoman Monika Hebbinghaus told the German Press Agency. That’s why refugees have been being accommodated in the Tegel arrival center for a few weeks now. “This gives us much-needed time to create good permanent housing in the city.” The places in the lightweight halls are actually intended for Ukrainians. More than 4,000 people currently live there, and almost 1,200 are asylum seekers.
According to the Senate Chancellery, 3,000 additional places are to be created in Tegel by the end of the year. Space is also being made in other places in Berlin, such as hotels and hostels.
“The more people come, the more places have to be created quickly. This initially reduces the quality – for example how much space is available to each individual,” admitted Hebbinghaus. In Tegel, up to 15 people share a room. At least migrants no longer have to sleep in gyms, as was the case in 2015, said Hebbinghaus.
Senate Chancellery on additional places for refugees LAF on the number of refugees
