Two major German cities have spent at least €4 billion since 2022 on migrant housing, with hotel accommodations emerging as one of the most expensive options.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Government data from Berlin and Hamburg shows that the two cities have allocated at least €4 billion since 2022 to house asylum seekers and migrants, with hotel accommodations accounting for a significant share of the total.
In Hamburg, spending tied specifically to asylum seekers has reached approximately €597 million, including €160 million in 2025 alone for hotel lodging and meals. Those figures exclude additional expenses such as security and administrative costs. Broader housing efforts, including container villages, asylum centers, and state-run housing units, bring the city’s total annual expenditure to roughly €1 billion.
The figures on hotel-related costs were disclosed in a Senate response to a parliamentary inquiry, as reported by Nius. Officials noted that hotels began to be used for housing in late February 2022 as demand for accommodation increased.
Hamburg authorities attributed the rapid expansion in housing needs to the influx of individuals following Russia’s war in Ukraine. Officials have indicated that the use of hotels is intended to be temporary, with plans to transition individuals into other forms of housing over time.
However, hotel use has drawn criticism due to its cost. According to the data, hotels and hostels can cost about €60 per person per day, compared to roughly €20 per day in container-based accommodations.
In Berlin, officials have also relied on hotels and hostels, housing between 3,300 and 3,500 individuals in such facilities as of 2025. While a breakdown of hotel-only expenses was not available, total spending on accommodation, care, and integration between 2022 and 2025 has reached €2.24 billion. Annual costs for migrant housing in the capital have approached €1 billion.
Berlin’s integration senator, Cansel Kiziltepe, acknowledged the high cost of hotel use and advocated for alternative housing models. She stated that decentralized options, such as container units or permanent buildings, would be more cost-effective and reduce financial strain on the city.
When combined, Berlin and Hamburg’s spending since 2022 exceeds €4 billion, with total costs rising further when factoring in administrative services, security, and other associated expenditures.
Nationally, Germany’s overall spending on migration-related costs, including housing, integration, and social services, exceeds €50 billion annually, according to reporting by Welt.
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