Emergency for migrants in Ceuta: on 3 November 2026 the Council of Ministers took note of an extension of €26,153,526.61 to the emergency declaration for essential services, works and supplies that cover the basic needs of migrants who arrived in the city. The same day it received an updated report on the situation, with 7,507 reception places in State facilities, 5,957 of them occupied.
What changes for you today
For most people, nothing. Neither the extension nor the report creates new procedures or rights, or changes deadlines. Our guide Ceuta national security and migrants: RD 681/2026 explains what the special regime in Ceuta allows. If you want to request asylum, the steps are in How to request international protection (asylum) in Spain.
What happened
At its meeting on 3 November, the Council of Ministers did two things related to Ceuta. First, it took note of the extension of the emergency declaration: "taking note" means the Government acknowledges a decision already adopted. The emergency allows urgent contracting, without the usual tender. The summary only gives the purpose (essential services, works and supplies for basic needs) and the amount of this extension. It appears in the section for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.
Second, it took note of an updated report on the situation in Ceuta, with data as of 3 November. The figures:
- Adults: 6,113 screenings (initial assessments of each person), 14,818 people who have returned to their country and 7,507 places in State facilities, of which 5,957 are occupied.
- Minors: 3,650 minors in the protection system of the City of Ceuta and 402 screenings. 316 minors have been relocated to the mainland: 135 through family reunification and 181 to other regions, under article 35 of the Immigration Law.
Since the previous report, operations have continued in urban areas, in public and private spaces. The police have referred some people who were on the street to the care and reception facilities. For others, the identification procedure (filiación) has been opened, which serves to identify them and learn their situation before deciding the response.
How it works now
Ceuta is in a situation of interest for national security until 31 December 2026 (Royal Decree 681/2026), a regime that coordinates resources of the State and the City without suspending fundamental rights. On 30 September a plot of the prison centre was added by RD 761/2026. On 27 October the Supreme Court denied Ceuta very urgent interim measures in its appeal against the State: the news item Supreme Court denies Ceuta interim measures covers it. What is new now is the extended emergency spending and the updated figures.
What changes
- Money: the emergency declaration goes up by €26,153,526.61. The running total and the detail of what is contracted are found in the emergency contracts, on the Public Sector Procurement Platform.
- Reception figures: the report gives 7,507 places in State facilities, 5,957 occupied.
- Minors: 3,650 in the protection system of the City of Ceuta, and 316 relocated to the mainland.
- No change: the national security regime (until 31 December 2026), asylum procedures and the rules for minors.
What happens next
- The special regime continues until 31 December 2026. Before that date, the President of the Government can extend it, change its scope or end it.
- The Council of Ministers receives updated reports on the situation; no date has been announced for the next one.
- Ceuta's appeal against the State continues before the Supreme Court, with no date for the decision.
What you can do
- Read the Council of Ministers summary of 3 November 2026: the Ceuta report is in the Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory section.
- If your case is that of an unaccompanied minor, protection is handled by the child protection services. The guide to Royal Decree 556/2026 explains how places are shared.
- For a specific case, ask a lawyer or the duty-lawyer scheme (turno de oficio, free legal aid), if you meet the requirements.
Official source: Council of Ministers summary, 3 November 2026, La Moncloa.
Informational only; check the official source and a professional for your specific case.