In short: Ceuta has been in a “situation of interest for national security” since 26 August 2026, after migrants entered irregularly on 30 and 31 July. Royal Decree 681/2026 declares it and it lasts until 31 December 2026. It coordinates resources of the State and the City of Ceuta. The decree itself states that it does not suspend fundamental rights. Judging by its content (it only organises resources and responsibilities), it creates no new procedures or rights.
In person or by representative? Not applicable: the decree regulates no personal procedure, only how administrations coordinate.
What this regime is. The National Security Law 36/2015 provides for this situation in serious, urgent crises that require several administrations to be coordinated at once. Royal Decree 681/2026 (dated 25 August, published in the BOE on 26 August) applies it to Ceuta because the irregular entry of migrants on 30 and 31 July put unprecedented pressure on border control, identification, humanitarian care and reception. Article 2 defines the crisis as the temporary stay, of no fixed length, of a high number of migrants in an irregular situation in the city, after the mass, simultaneous influx of 30 July. It gives no figures.
What it allows.
- A coordinating authority. The Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory is the functional authority: directs and coordinates resources, sets priorities and keeps the National Security Council informed. It does not change who holds each competence or the chains of command.
- Resources from several administrations. Annex I lists what the State contributes (ministries such as Foreign Affairs, Interior, Inclusion, Health, Defence and Youth and Children) and some land in Ceuta. Annex II lists what the City of Ceuta contributes.
- Return. Among the functional authority's functions are the actions needed for the return of migrants in an irregular situation, in accordance with what the legal order establishes. Foreign Affairs supports the procedures for identification, documentation, readmission (another country accepting a person back) and return, with diplomatic and consular cooperation with Morocco and other States.
- Reception and care. Inclusion contributes humanitarian care, temporary reception, accommodation, food, basic needs, transfers within the State reception system, and social information and guidance. Interior contributes border control, identification and documentation, management of centres and international protection within its competences. Health coordinates the health response.
- Minors and vulnerable people. Youth and Children contributes the child protection system and its reception capacity. The City of Ceuta contributes its social services and its services for the protection and care of minors and other vulnerable people.
- Cooperation. All administrations involved must provide the means under their control. The Government must inform Congress immediately of the measures and how the situation develops.
Duration and scope. Until 31 December 2026. Before that date, the President of the Government, after a report from the National Security Council, can extend the regime, change its scope or end it early. It covers the city of Ceuta, its land border and border posts, and the coasts, ports and adjacent waters where Spain exercises sovereignty, jurisdiction or competences.
What the decree does not say. The text itself states that the declaration does not suspend fundamental rights or public freedoms. Among its principles it lists the protection of human life, respect for human dignity and differentiated attention to vulnerable people. It does not regulate how asylum is requested, how guardianship of a minor is processed or how each return is decided: those rules are in other laws.
What it means for people who are in Ceuta.
- Asylum. Requesting international protection depends on Law 12/2009, not on this decree. According to our asylum guide, the application is made in person and, while it is decided, any return or expulsion is suspended.
- Unaccompanied minors. Guardianship and reception are handled by the child protection services. Our guide to Royal Decree 556/2026 explains how places are shared among regions and autonomous cities, and our guide to criterion DGGM 7/2025 explains from when the residence of a minor under guardianship counts.
- Return. The decree includes among the functional authority's functions the actions needed for return, in accordance with the legal order, but does not describe the procedure or each person's rights in it. For a specific case, ask a lawyer or the free legal aid service (turno de oficio), if you meet the requirements.
Changes since 26 August. Royal Decree 706/2026 (1 September) adjusted the lists of spaces in both annexes. Royal Decree 761/2026 (29 September, in force from its publication in the BOE on 30 September) adds to Annex I, as point 8 of the list of infrastructure, a plot of the Ceuta prison centre lent by the Ministry of the Interior, to expand the temporary reception spaces.
Official source: Royal Decree 681/2026 (BOE-A-2026-18149).
Informational only; check the official source and a professional for your specific case.
