The Ministry of Asylum and Migration has published its latest Multi-Year Production Forecast, which anticipates that pressure on asylum reception will remain high in 2026. The number of required reception places is expected to rise to nearly 88,000, including 5,600 places for unaccompanied children and young people.
According to a news article by the COA, this increase is largely due to people remaining in asylum reception longer than intended. The housing of beneficiaries of international protection in municipalities is stagnating, resulting in a forecast where more than one-third of the total occupancy of COA shelters will be taken up by status holders. Additionally, the COA reported that lengthy asylum procedures and judicial delays have contributed to this increase.
The COA described the situation as undesirable, noting that it is currently facing an occupancy rate of over 100%. More than two-thirds of its reception centres now function as emergency shelters, where even children must stay for extended periods. Child-oriented facilities at these locations are under significant pressure, which can negatively impact children’s development. The COA further highlighted that the continued strain has led to an excessive number of relocations between reception centres, with the resulting lack of stability causing unrest both within and around the facilities.
To address these challenges, the COA called for a feasible policy framework to manage the pressure. It emphasized the importance of the Distribution Act, the need for stable funding, and stronger support from the cabinet.