Some 40,000 Syrian migrants could arrive in Germany over the next two days, officials say – double the number who entered the country last weekend.
Most are expected to arrive in the southern city of Munich but there are concerns about how the region will cope with another large influx.
Around 4,000 troops are being deployed in Germany for logistical support.
Germany has become an attractive destination for Syrian refugees since it waived EU rules.
The government announced in August that it would deal with Syrian asylum applications regardless of where the migrants first arrived in the EU – up until then, people had to claim asylum with the first EU country they reached.
Tens of thousands of mainly Syrian migrants have been making their way from Turkey, through the Balkans and Hungary to reach Austria, Germany and Sweden.
Many migrants received a warm welcome at Munich rail station last weekend, and thousands have continued to arrive in Germany throughout the week.
The mayor of Munich, Dieter Reiter, has made an urgent call for other German regions to do more to process and accommodate the new arrivals.
He described as “scandalous” the failure of other regions to provide more accommodation, according to online news source.
Reports suggest the government is considering new temporary powers to take control of unoccupied rental property so it can accommodate migrants.
A large processing hub is planned for northern Germany on the Luneburg Heath in Lower Saxony. Trains would take migrants there directly from Austria.
Meanwhile, protests in support of migrants are expected across Europe later on Saturday.
Ten of thousands of people are due to participate in a “day of action” with dozens of events taking place in several countries.
A handful of rival anti-migrant protests are also due to take place.
The crisis has exposed deep divisions within the European Union. The European Commission announced plans for obligatory quotas to share out 120,000 additional asylum seekers among 25 member countries.
another large influx.
Around 4,000 troops are being deployed in Germany for logistical support.
Germany has become an attractive destination for Syrian refugees since it waived EU rules.
The government announced in August that it would deal with Syrian asylum applications regardless of where the migrants first arrived in the EU – up until then, people had to claim asylum with the first EU country they reached.
Tens of thousands of mainly Syrian migrants have been making their way from Turkey, through the Balkans and Hungary to reach Austria, Germany and Sweden.
Many migrants received a warm welcome at Munich rail station last weekend, and thousands have continued to arrive in Germany throughout the week.
The mayor of Munich, Dieter Reiter, has made an urgent call for other German regions to do more to process and accommodate the new arrivals.
He described as “scandalous” the failure of other regions to provide more accommodation, according to online news source.
Reports suggest the government is considering new temporary powers to take control of unoccupied rental property so it can accommodate migrants.
A large processing hub is planned for northern Germany on the Luneburg Heath in Lower Saxony. Trains would take migrants there directly from Austria.
Meanwhile, protests in support of migrants are expected across Europe later on Saturday.
Ten of thousands of people are due to participate in a “day of action” with dozens of events taking place in several countries.
A handful of rival anti-migrant protests are also due to take place.
