The Spanish government is preparing an emergency aid package worth 165 million euros for Ceuta. The funds are intended to support local businesses, commerce, tourism, and public services in the wake of the crisis, which escalated due to the mass arrival of migrants in late July.
Spain aims to quickly channel funds into Ceuta’s economy and help the city cope with the aftermath of the recent crisis. Of the total amount, 80 million euros are planned to be allocated to Ceuta’s economy over the next four months. Another 70 million euros have been earmarked for spending in 2027. A portion of the funds will go to local businesses. The government plans to allocate 35 million euros for direct aid to small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as to the self-employed.
Another 15 million euros will be directed toward reviving the trade and tourism sectors. These sectors were particularly hard-hit following the mass arrival of migrants in the city in late July. The authorities also plan to spend 15 million euros on strengthening education, healthcare, and the justice system. Thus, the funds are not intended solely to support entrepreneurs. The Spanish government aims to simultaneously bolster key municipal services that are dealing with the aftermath of the crisis.
Ceuta is a Spanish city on the northern coast of Africa, bordering Morocco. Due to its location, it regularly faces migration pressures. In late July, the situation escalated sharply due to a mass influx of migrants. This disrupted the operations of local businesses, commerce, and the tourism sector, and also increased the burden on public services. The new €165 million package is not related to the long-term “Ceuta Plan,” for which €180 million had previously been allocated.
In other words, this is a separate emergency program that the government is preparing specifically to respond quickly to the current situation. According to the authorities’ plan, part of the funds is intended to help businesses weather the effects of the crisis, while the rest is meant to ensure the normal functioning of municipal services. For now, these are government plans reported by sources to El País. The detailed terms for the distribution of funds and the final decisions are to be presented by the Spanish government. El País reports on the preparation of the new package, citing government sources.
Spain has appealed to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) for assistance in returning migrants who arrived in Ceuta last month and remain on this Spanish territory in North Africa.
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