The Spanish Foreign Ministry has issued a formal statement clarifying that irregular entry into its North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla does not grant individuals the right to remain in Spanish territory, travel to the mainland, or move freely throughout Europe. The ministry emphasized that no recent court rulings have altered this legal reality.
Addressing a recent Supreme Court decision, the ministry noted that the ruling serves to clarify the procedures for those arriving by sea but does not amend the Immigration Act. Officials stated that the ruling does not declare border entry refusals unlawful, nor does it open any new routes of entry or prevent the return of migrants. To maintain border integrity, authorities have reinforced the area with a 500-metre maritime containment barrier at the Tarajal breakwater, which the government describes as fully compatible with both the court's ruling and established return policies.
Regarding recent activity, the ministry confirmed that nearly all individuals who crossed into Ceuta on July 30 have already been returned to Morocco. The government highlighted that Ceuta and Melilla operate under a unique border control regime, requiring one check at the border with Morocco and a secondary Schengen control before any travel by air or sea to mainland Spain is permitted. Police identification is mandatory for anyone attempting to travel to the mainland.
Furthermore, the ministry clarified that Spain’s extraordinary regularisation process is unrelated to these recent events. This process applies strictly to individuals who were already residing in Spain before January 1, 2026. Consequently, anyone who crossed the border on July 30 is excluded from this process, and the ministry reiterated that the only valid route for entry remains the legal one.
