Frankfurt (Oder): New refugee accommodation for unclear prospects of staying

Frankfurt (Oder): New refugee accommodation for unclear prospects of staying

In Brandenburg, we are currently working hard on a new transition facility for refugees, which is scheduled to open in Frankfurt (Oder) in the course of 2026. Interior Minister René Wilke (independent) announced the basic information in the “Märkische Oderzeitung”. The aim of this facility is to offer asylum seekers with unclear prospects of staying an appropriate place to stay and to help them to be able to participate actively. Wilke explains that the new accommodation will replace the existing initial reception facility and is largely geared towards the needs of refugees who cannot be deported but also have no clear prospect of permanent residency.

The concept not only provides for accommodation, but also a comprehensive range of language courses, internships and work opportunities. The idea behind it is to help those affected to integrate better and thus improve their chances of a good life in Germany. After all, it should also be about checking the residents' residency prospects in order to make returns or voluntary departures easier. The existing initial reception locations in Frankfurt (Oder) - Markendorf and the Oderland barracks - will be abandoned for this new approach so that support for refugees can be further improved.

Growth of transitional facilities

Although exact capacities for the new facility have not yet been determined, the number of transitional facilities in Brandenburg will depend on the development of refugee numbers. Wilke emphasizes that the current trend could lead to a reduction in capacity, as the number of refugees tends to fall. Discussions are also ongoing between the Ministry of the Interior and the affected municipalities to determine more precisely how many such facilities will be necessary.

Another planned departure facility is also causing discussions, which is aimed at voluntary departures but also provides options for deportations. This project is already in the final stages of discussions with an affected municipality and at the same time is intended to offer advice to residents to make the transition easier.

The process of adoption

The schedule for the new law that will allow these facilities is expected to be defended in the first quarter of next year. Whether this happens sooner or later depends on the discussions in the state parliament. Wilke is optimistic and expects rapid implementation in order to quickly improve the conditions on site and offer the refugees the urgently needed support.

The term “prospect to stay” is often mentioned in this context and refers to an asylum seeker’s prospect of permanent legal residence in Germany. There is a political debate about which countries offer “good prospects of staying” and which do not. The legal framework is changing and is also supported by the Federal Employment Agency, which offers integration courses for asylum seekers with good prospects of staying. This legal network is intended to promote sustainable integration into society.

The coming developments in Brandenburg will depend on the number of refugees and the legal framework, which must be regularly reassessed. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop and what further measures will be taken in the state parliament to offer refugees the best possible conditions. [rbb24] reports that the starting signal for the new facilities has already been given, while [n-tv] describes the preparations as already marked. For many refugees, a positive perspective could be the key to a new phase in life.