The spending review on the organisation of the closed centres was approved as a topic by the Council of Ministers on 18 June 2025. Its objective was to examine the most efficient organisational model for the closed centres operated by the Immigration Office (DVZ), in the context of a linear 1.8% savings target imposed on federal operating and personnel expenditure. The review analyses the centres’ position within the return chain, their organisation and daily operation, staffing, infrastructure, digitalisation, expenditure and capacity management.

Capacity is identified as a structural challenge. While the existing centres have a theoretical capacity of 689 places, only 541 were effectively usable on 20 May 2026. The report notes that 148 places could not be used because of infrastructure problems or staff shortages. It also highlights the high level of utilisation of the available capacity, with an occupancy rate of around 94%. Based on current assumptions, DVZ estimates a total need of 2.836 places. However, the review recommends replacing this static calculation with a dynamic capacity model, based on low, medium and high scenarios linked to policy objectives and taking account of factors such as length of stay, resident profiles, staff availability, transport capacity and cooperation with countries of origin.

The review also stresses that the efficiency of closed-centre capacity depends on the entire return chain, rather than on the centres alone. Improving identification and the preparation of travel documents, strengthening return counselling for persons without a right to stay in prisons, improving cooperation with countries of origin, and ensuring effective transport and escort capacity can contribute to faster turnover and better use of available places. For persons presenting a lower security or absconding risk, the report also points to the potential for greater use of follow-up outside closed capacity, including through strengthened ICAM support.

Among the main organisational recommendations are strengthening the Dispatch service as the central hub for capacity allocation and reservations, developing an integrated real-time capacity dashboard, and improving coordination between centres. The review further recommends better alignment of staff planning with capacity needs, greater internal mobility and flexibility, measures to reduce absenteeism, continued digitalisation and stronger links between operational and financial data. Infrastructure management is another key area: at the time of the analysis, at least 71 places were temporarily unavailable because of infrastructure defects, maintenance backlogs, renovation works or security requirements.

In total, the spending review contains 74 recommendations and more than 170 concrete and specific action points. In the longer term, it recommends examining the feasibility of a large integrated closed centre near Brussels, potentially combined with limited specialised satellite capacity for specific profiles.

For further details, please read the report attached below (in Dutch).