The new European Return Centre will be established in existing infrastructure located along the E17 in Nazareth-De Pinte. According to the Belgian Immigration Office, the centre will accommodate applicants for international protection whose cases involve another EU Member State. The facility will provide accommodation and guidance while procedures to determine the responsible Member State and organise possible transfers are ongoing. The Immigration Office has started the necessary preparations, including the recruitment of staff, with a view to welcoming the first residents in autumn 2026.

The creation of the centre builds on the approach developed in the Centre in Zaventem. This centre accommodates applicants for international protection for whom the Immigration Office has identified a link with another EU Member State. According to the Minister of Asylum and Migration, the average duration of stay in the Zaventem centre is 41 days. The Minister considers that a dedicated facility can contribute to organising procedures more efficiently and facilitating transfers to the Member State responsible for examining the application.

The new centre will provide approximately 300 additional places and will make use of existing infrastructure that will be adapted for this purpose. The municipality of Nazareth-De Pinte has indicated that it will seek to ensure regular coordination between the centre, the local authorities, police services and other relevant stakeholders. This permanent consultation mechanism aims to monitor the functioning of the centre, address possible questions from local residents and bring their feedback to the attention of the relevant actors.

For further information, please consult the announcements published by the Minister of Asylum and Migration, the Belgian Immigration Office and the municipality of Nazareth-De Pinte.