Ceuta adds a plot of its prison centre to the temporary reception spaces for migrants. Royal Decree 761/2026 does it: the BOE published it on 30 September and it applies from that same day. Only the list of State land changes: the national security regime in Ceuta continues until 31 December 2026.
What changes for you today
For most people, nothing. The decree creates no new procedures or rights and does not touch any deadline. Our guide to Royal Decree 681/2026 explains what the national security regime allows.
What happened
Royal Decree 761/2026 is dated 29 September and the BOE published it on 30 September. It has a single article: it adds to Annex I of Royal Decree 681/2026, the list of State resources, a plot of the Ceuta prison centre lent by the Ministry of the Interior. It is point 8 of the list of land and infrastructure. The annex provides that the resources on the list are used “if applicable”: being on it does not by itself mean the plot will be used.
The preamble gives the reason. Since the start of the crisis in late July, one of the Government's top priorities has been the return of the irregular migrants who remain in Ceuta, with full respect for the applicable rules, and the temporary reception spaces have to be adapted as things develop. The new spaces that are added must have less impact on the activities of Ceuta's population. Of this plot in particular, the preamble says it has a suitable location and an optimal surface area to make management easier.
The proposal came from the Situation Committee, the body that brings together the departments involved. On 24 September, with Ceuta taking part, it assessed which spaces were available and sent the changes to the National Security Council for its report. The Council gave it at its meeting on 29 September. With that prior report, Article 4 of Royal Decree 681/2026 allows the President of the Government to change the scope of the regime.
It is not the first adjustment: Royal Decree 706/2026, of 1 September, had already changed the lists of spaces in both annexes.
How it works now
Royal Decree 681/2026 declared a situation of interest for national security in Ceuta on 25 August (BOE of 26 August), after migrants entered irregularly on 30 and 31 July. It is a mechanism of the National Security Law 36/2015 that allows the resources of several administrations to be coordinated in a serious crisis. The Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory coordinates it together with the National Security Council. It does not suspend fundamental rights and creates no procedures for people. It lasts until 31 December 2026. Until this change, the list of land and infrastructure in Annex I had 7 points.
What changes
- Before: the list of State land and infrastructure in Ceuta had 7 points. Now: it has 8, including the prison centre plot.
- No change: the duration (until 31 December 2026), the territory, the minister who coordinates and the rest of the measures in Royal Decree 681/2026.
- What the text does not say: how many places the plot will have, whether it will be used and when, or what services there will be.
What happens next
- The decree is already in force, since 30 September.
- The regime continues until 31 December 2026. Before that date, the President of the Government, after a report from the National Security Council, can extend it, change its scope or end it early.
- The regime has already been modified twice, on 1 and 29 September. The text announces no other changes or dates.
- The Government must inform Congress of the measures and of how the situation develops.
- We will review this article before 31 December to see whether the regime has been extended or has ended.
What you can do
- Read the text of Royal Decree 761/2026 in the BOE: it is short and has a single article.
- If you want to request asylum, the application is made in person, under Law 12/2009. The steps are in our asylum guide.
- If your case is that of an unaccompanied minor, protection is handled by the child protection services. Our 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: Royal Decree 761/2026 (BOE-A-2026-20267).
Informational only; check the official source and a professional for your specific case.