North Rhine-Westphalia Opens New Asylum Reception Centre in Dülmen
"The ZUE Dülmen facility offers future residents more than just a roof over their heads—it provides a space where they can settle in during an initial orientation phase and find their bearings in their new surroundings at their own pace," said Government President Andreas Bothe at the opening ceremony. He also expressed his gratitude to the city of Dülmen for its constructive collaboration throughout the planning and implementation process.
"The city of Dülmen warmly welcomes the establishment of the ZUE at Gausepatt and has been happy to support the process," emphasized Mayor Carsten Hövekamp. "We already have experience with a similar facility at this location, and I am confident that people here will be given a good start."
The ZUE Dülmen was constructed using modular container units on a site at Gausepatt. Following the launch of planning in late 2023, the first containers were installed in October 2025. In addition to residential buildings, the facility includes a canteen, a medical station, and a social services building offering a variety of daily structuring activities for residents.
Final construction work is currently being completed on the premises, with the ZUE expected to begin operations in May. Once open, the facility will provide round-the-clock support, including care services, security, medical assistance, and catering.
A community liaison manager is available to address public inquiries and concerns. Residents of Dülmen and the surrounding area are also warmly invited to volunteer at the facility.
With the opening of ZUE Dülmen, the Münster Regional Government now operates nine state-run reception centers across the administrative district, offering a total of 3,303 places. These facilities provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers and relieve pressure on local municipalities. The Münster Regional Government will continue to expand its network of reception centers to meet its obligation to create additional capacity—particularly in light of the upcoming closure of several existing facilities in the coming years.
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