HOUSING ASYLUM SEEKERS

Europe pursues a common approach to housing asylum seekers, but national interests often prevail

Housing asylum seekers and refugees: Container accommodation in Germany; Tents in Paris; Hotel used for asylum seekers in Altrincham, England

August 2025: As the United Kingdom works itself into a frenzy about housing asylum seekers in hotels, European Union (EU) countries also grapple with the realities of accommodating thousands of asylum seekers and refugees seeking safety and a better life in Europe. EU law mandates minimum standards for the reception of new arrivals, including housing, food, and healthcare; however, the lived experience of asylum seekers varies dramatically from country to country.

The Common European Asylum System (CEAS) is a set of EU laws and policies designed to create a uniform approach to handling asylum claims across member states. It aims to ensure fair and consistent treatment of asylum seekers, while also distributing responsibility for processing applications more equitably. The latest reform, known as the ‘New Pact on Migration and Asylum’, aims to further streamline procedures and improve border management.

The CEAS requires EU member states to provide:

• Accommodation that guarantees safety and dignity

• Access to healthcare and education

• Material support (including food, clothing, hygiene)

However, implementation diverges widely. Some countries exceed these standards; others barely meet them. In some countries, particularly in those with right-wing governments or with weak governments under threat from far-right opposition parties, there is little political will to interpret EU law generously.

Germany

Germany has long maintained a welcoming stance toward asylum seekers and refugees. Under Chancellor Angela Merkel’s leadership (2005–2021), the country opened its borders to over one million displaced people from Syria and other parts of the Middle East. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the administration of Olaf Scholz (2021–2025) extended similar humanitarian support, allowing approximately one million Ukrainians to settle in Germany.

Germany remains the top destination for asylum applications in the EU, with a significant increase in ‘protection seekers’ (Schutzsuchende) – a broad term including asylum seekers, refugees, and those with subsidiary protection, reaching 3.55 million at the end of 2024. The country faces ongoing challenges with reception capacities, although measures are in place to address delays in processing asylum applications, which decreased in 2024 compared to the previous year. The process involves registration, a personal interview, and potentially staying in initial reception centres for up to 18 months or more.

Germany offers tiered housing:

• Initial reception centres for registration and health checks

• Transfer to communal housing or shared apartments during the asylum process

• Integration programs for recognised refugees

However, conditions vary by state. Bavaria, for example, has faced criticism for overcrowded facilities, while Berlin has piloted more inclusive housing models.

France

In 2024, France registered 158,000 asylum applications, a slight decrease from 167,000 in 2023. These included 131,000 first-time applicants and 27,000 subsequent applicants. A significant number of applications are also lodged directly with the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (OFPRA), including those not registered in the initial government database (GUDA). Key countries of origin for asylum seekers in France include Ukraine, Afghanistan, DR Congo, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast.

France offers emergency shelters and long-term housing through OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration). But:

•  Many asylum seekers end up in informal camps, especially in Paris and Calais

•  NGOs often fill gaps left by the state

•  Legal bottlenecks delay access to stable housing

Italy

In 2024, Italy registered 151,000 first-time asylum applications, a number comparable to the previous year. While the overall recognition rate for asylum claims at the first instance was 36 per cent, with a mix of refugee status, subsidiary protection, and special protection, there has been a slight decrease compared to previous years.

Italy’s SPRAR system (Protection System for Refugees and Asylum Seekers) emphasizes:

•  Small-scale housing integrated into communities

•  Support from local municipalities and NGOs

However, recent policy changes have reduced funding, pushing more asylum seekers into large, isolated centers

Spain

In 2024, Spain saw over 63,800 undocumented migrants and asylum seekers arrive, primarily via maritime routes from the Western Mediterranean and Northwest Africa, marking a 12 per cent increase compared to the previous year. A total of 167,366 individuals applied for international protection in Spain during the same year, with Venezuela, Colombia, Mali, Peru, and Senegal being the top countries of origin for applicants. While the recognition rate for refugee status and subsidiary protection remained relatively low (around 20 per cent), the overall recognition rate increased to almost 57 per cent when considering humanitarian protection.

Spain’s approach to housing asylum seekers is structured around a three-phase reception and integration system, coordinated by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration and implemented in partnership with NGOs.

• Phase 1: Typical, up to 6 months. Accommodation is provided in reception centres or apartments, located in both urban and rural areas. Services include basic needs coverage and participation in integration activities (language, cultural orientation, legal aid)

• Phase 2: Financial assistance for rent and basic needs in private housing. Beneficiaries must have completed the initial integration activities to qualify

• Phase 3: Independent living. Continued financial aid may be available, but more limited. But, high rental costs, discrimination, and bureaucratic barriers (eg deposit requirements, payslips) often hinder access to stable housing.

Sweden

In 2024, Sweden saw a decrease in asylum applications compared to the previous year, with 9,600 preliminary applications lodged. The majority of these applications came from Syrian, Afghan, Iraqi, Iranian, and Uzbekistani nationals. While the overall application numbers were down, the recognition rate for asylum claims saw a slight increase, particularly for Afghan nationals. Sweden is also implementing the EU's Pact on Migration and Asylum, with a focus on border procedures and the Eurodac system.

The Swedish Migration Agency manages various types of accommodation for asylum seekers, including its own facilities and private housing. Asylum seekers are provided with:

•  Access to state-run housing or financial support to find private accommodation

•  Healthcare and schooling for children

•  Language and cultural orientation programs

Yet rising numbers and political shifts have led to reduced benefits and longer wait times.

United Kingdom

(outside the EU)

In 2024, around 108,000 people claimed asylum in the UK, the highest since records began in 1979. This surpassed the previous record of around 103,000 people in 2002, driven by wars in Somalia, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Since 2020, the UK has increasingly relied on hotels as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. This shift was driven by a surge in Channel crossings, a backlog in asylum claims, and a shortage of long-term housing options. In June 2025, more than 32,000 asylum seekers were housed in hotels across the UK. The average daily cost per person was £170, making hotels six times more expensive than other housing options. London remains the epicentre, with boroughs like Hillingdon and Hounslow hosting thousands.

Following a landmark High Court ruling in Epping Forest, which blocked the use of the Bell Hotel for asylum accommodation on grounds of planning law, a wave of local councils across the UK are now exploring similar legal action. At least 30 local authorities—including those led by Labour, Conservatives, and Reform UK—are considering legal challenges. Notable councils include Tamworth, Wirral, Broxbourne, Dudley, and East Lindsey.

Further reading: Immigration in Europe's North || Liverpool puts the record straight about asylum seekers arriving in Britain || Asylum seekers' benefits in Europe || European Migration and Asylum Pact ||

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