FAQ Initial reception facility

The conversion work in the first section is expected to be completed in mid-August 2025 and the first section will go into operation from October 1, 2025.

The government of Middle Franconia has rented the building for ten years. The city of Erlangen has been commissioned to operate the facility.

The city of Erlangen does not have to bear any costs. The costs for setting up the accommodation and ongoing operation are borne by the government of Middle Franconia or the Free State of Bavaria.

The accommodation has a maximum capacity for 600 residents. However, experience shows that the capacity is rarely fully utilized due to high fluctuation.

Wars and difficult political conditions are forcing people around the world to flee their homes. Countries of origin, from which many people flee, change regularly due to the numerous global crises. Currently, most people are coming from

• Syria
• Turkey
• Iran
• Venezuela and
• Cuba.

Newly arrived refugees,

• who have submitted an application for asylum and
• are in the asylum procedure.

Both families and single persons will be assigned by the government of Middle Franconia. The mix is determined by the composition of the newly arrived refugees. It is only possible for the government to control this to a limited extent.

The residents only stay for a certain period of time. This is approximately a few months and is independent of the ongoing asylum procedure.

The refugees are only housed temporarily in Erlangen. They receive comprehensive support in the accommodation before they are distributed further. Sustainable integration into local society is then planned in the municipalities where they will live permanently. The refugee and integration advice service and the asylum procedure advice service provide information and support in dealing with everyday matters and the asylum procedure.

The facility has social rooms and rooms for school lessons. However, there are no plans to organize social gatherings in the district due to the short stay in Erlangen. In addition, the residents have many appointments due to the ongoing asylum procedure.

The residents receive the necessary health care services in accordance with the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act. Medical care is provided by medical staff in the accommodation. This is organized by the government of Middle Franconia.

Due to the short stay in Erlangen, attendance at external daycare facilities is not planned. Children of pre-school age are looked after at the facility.

The school-age children are taught within the facility by teachers provided by the state education authority.

Yes, German courses are organized within the accommodation.

Yes, the facility is supervised by an experienced security service. This is on site around the clock and regulates access to the facility. Unauthorized persons are not permitted to enter the facility.

Meals are provided at the facility. Residents can also buy snacks in the nearby supermarkets.

The residents receive reduced benefits in accordance with the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act, as meals are provided in the accommodation.

Donations in kind can be handed over to the various clothing stores of the aid organizations. Monetary donations are not possible. We also ask that you do not bring any donations in cash or in kind to the facility. They will not be accepted there.

Yes, volunteering in the initial reception center is welcome and expressly desired. The meaningful work helps refugees and is very valuable support for everyone involved. Anyone interested in volunteering at the initial reception center can contact the integration guides of the city of Erlangen directly by telephone on 09131/86-2655, 09131/86-1898, 09131/86-3886 or by email at engagiert.integriert@stadt.erlangen.de. These are responsible for coordinating volunteer work in the facility. Voluntary work in the initial reception accommodation can only be carried out by contacting the integration guides in advance. You can find more information about the integration guides at https://erlangen.de/aktuelles/engagiert-integriert.

If vulnerable people are assigned, they will be accommodated in a separate area within the facility. They should then be moved to another municipality as soon as possible.

The residents usually have a residence permit for the asylum procedure. They are in possession of a proof of arrival until they officially apply for asylum. No gainful employment is permitted during the first six months of their stay. After that, they may work with the consent of the immigration authorities. The central foreigners authority in Zirndorf is responsible for the residents, not the local foreigners authority in the town hall.