Why is Belgium opening a second migrant 'return centre' inside a Van der Valk hotel?
Belgium's federal government is preparing to open a second 'return centre' — for people with no legal right to stay — inside a Van der Valk hotel, according to francophone outlet 7sur7.
In 30 seconds
- Francophone outlet 7sur7 reports a second Belgian 'return centre' will open inside a Van der Valk hotel.
- The reported messaging aims to deter arrivals: 'it is useless to continue your journey to Belgium.'
- Return centres house people with no right to stay, distinct from Fedasil reception centres for pending asylum claims.
- Migration policy falls under State Secretary Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA) in the De Wever-led federal coalition.
A 'return centre' (centre de retour / terugkeercentrum) in Belgium is a facility housing people who have no legal right to remain — typically rejected asylum seekers or those who never had grounds to stay — pending voluntary departure or forced removal organised by the Immigration Office (Office des Étrangers / Dienst Vreemdenzaken). It is distinct from a Fedasil reception centre, which shelters asylum seekers whose claims are still being examined. The reported facility would occupy a Van der Valk hotel, a Dutch-Belgian hotel chain with sites across the Benelux. The policy sits under State Secretary for Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt (N-VA) within the De Wever-led 'Arizona' federal coalition.
Background
Belgium's asylum reception network has been in near-permanent crisis for years, with Fedasil repeatedly unable to provide beds to all legally entitled applicants, generating hundreds of court rulings and financial penalties. Successive governments have improvised with hotels, container villages and temporary buildings. The De Wever government, formed in 2025, campaigned on reversing the emphasis toward faster processing and more returns, of which return centres are the flagship instrument.
What to do
For affected individuals, placement in a return centre signals imminent removal proceedings and restricted conditions. For municipalities, it means managing a rapid change of use with limited lead time. For the public, it is a concrete marker of the government's shift toward deterrence and return.
Impact
Regional — The unnamed host municipality faces immediate practical questions — local security, services and neighbour reaction — and Belgian hotel conversions of this kind have previously generated friction when local authorities were informed late.
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- 4 Aug 2026
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- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 4 Aug 2026
- Publication date unavailable
- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 4 Aug 2026
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This story was assembled from verified evidence, with its sources and reasoning recorded as it was written.