The 6 detention centres

The Immigration Office manages six detention centres where individuals who are refused entry to the territory at the border are held pending their removal, as are individuals who have been ordered to leave the territory, pending their removal.

Caricole

This centre is located in Steenokkerzeel, not far from Brussels National airport. It opened in 2012, replacing the Inad Centre, which was located at Zaventem Airport, and the Transit Centre 127, which was located in Melsbroek. It can hold 114 people.

The Caricole transit centre receives all inadmissible individuals, i.e. persons without travel documents or without legitimate documents (false passports, false visas, etc.), persons who do not have a clear purpose for their trip or who do not have sufficient means of subsistence, but also those who are flagged up in the Schengen Information System (SIS).

The persons detained at the border for non-compliance with the entry requirements and who apply for international protection may remain in detention at the Caricole centre or be admitted to the territory pending the decision of the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees and Stateless Persons.

Repatriation Centre 127bis

Located in Steenokkerzeel, not far from Brussels National Airport, this centre opened in March 1994. It can hold 120 people and is split into two wings. The centre houses men.

Centre for illegals Bruges

This centre opened in January 1995 in the buildings of the former women's prison. It can currently hold 112 people and is split into separate wings for men and women.

Centre for illegals Merksplas

This centre opened in November 1993 in the premises of a former prison in the province of Antwerp. It can currently hold 142 people. This centre currently only houses men.

Centre for illegals Vottem

This centre opened in March 1999. It can currently hold 119 people and is split into three normal wings and a special wing for people who require individualised follow-up. This centre currently only houses men.

Centre for illegals Holsbeek

This centre opened in May 2019 in a building that was previously an open return centre. This centre currently only houses women. Its current capacity is limited to 28 places.  Its maximum capacity is 50 places.