Thousands of migrants are still living rough in Ceuta weeks after a mass crossing from Morocco, with between 3,500 and 7,000 people believed to remain in the Spanish enclave.
Many have been forced to build makeshift shelters from tarpaulins, reeds and other discarded materials on the beaches, as local authorities struggle to provide accommodation for those who have not returned across the border.
More than 70,000 people entered Ceuta during the surge on July 30 and 31, most of them crossing by sea or on foot from neighbouring Morocco. The vast majority subsequently went back, but the number left behind has continued to place pressure on the territory’s limited services. ([aljazeera.com](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/8/25/spain-requests-emergency-funding-from-the-eu-over-ceuta-migrants?utm_source=openai))
Temporary shelters opened as migrants remain on beaches
Spain’s Ministry of Inclusion said it was creating four temporary reception sites, initially providing 1,500 additional places. The locations include a car park in Loma Colmenar, sports facilities and former military land. ([inclusion.gob.es](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/w/el-ministerio-de-inclusion-seguridad-social-y-migraciones-habilita-cuatro-nuevos-emplazamientos-para-la-atencion-humanitaria-de-personas-migrantes-en-ceuta?utm_source=openai))
The Interior Ministry has also expanded the process used to identify and assess those who remain in Ceuta. A temporary centre at El Tarajal is due to include accommodation for up to 400 people, while officials examine asylum claims, vulnerability and cases involving unaccompanied children. ([lamoncloa.gob.es](https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/serviciosdeprensa/notasprensa/interior/Paginas/2026/270826-triaje-migrantes-ceuta.aspx?utm_source=openai))
Madrid has asked the European Union for support from Frontex, Europol and the EU Agency for Asylum to help process the migrants’ cases. Until that work is completed, many remain in a legal and practical limbo, sleeping in improvised camps close to the shoreline.
The continuing presence of thousands of people has left Ceuta, a small Spanish territory on North Africa’s coast, facing a prolonged humanitarian and housing crisis after the unprecedented influx.
