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Date Published: 20/05/2026

Migration trends shift across Spain's borders

Sea arrivals fall sharply while land crossings into Ceuta and Melilla rise

Between January 1 and May 15, 2026, a total of 9,047 migrants arrived in Spain irregularly by sea and land, according to data from the Ministry of the Interior. This represents a drop of 39.1% compared with the same period in 2025, when 14,857 arrivals were recorded.

A large part of that overall decline comes from sea arrivals. A total of 6,782 people reached Spain by boat in the first months of the year, down 52.2% year on year. These arrivals took place across 233 boats, compared with 382 during the same period in 2025.

This continues a broader shift in migration routes highlighted in earlier reporting on Spain’s immigration pressures, where changes to policy and enforcement have been closely watched across key entry points.

Regional patterns vary significantly. The Canary Islands have seen a sharp fall in arrivals, dropping from 10,822 people in 2025 to 3,018 in 2026, a decrease of 72.1%. The Balearic Islands also recorded a smaller reduction, from 1,591 to 1,535 arrivals, down 3.5%.

By contrast, the mainland route has become more active. Sea arrivals to the Peninsula increased by 24.3%, rising from 1,786 people in mid-May 2025 to 2,220 in the same period of 2026.

There were also notable differences in the enclaves. No migrants arrived by sea in Ceuta this year, compared with three in 2025. Melilla saw a small increase, with nine arrivals compared with one the previous year.

Land crossings tell a different story entirely. Arrivals to Ceuta and Melilla by land rose sharply by 246.3%, reaching 2,265 people. Of these, 2,187 entered Ceuta and 78 entered Melilla.

These figures come against the backdrop of ongoing concern about irregular crossings and the humanitarian risks linked to small boat journeys towards Spain, previously highlighted in wider reporting on migration routes and fatalities.

Overall, the figures show a clear shift in routes, with sea arrivals falling sharply while land crossings into Ceuta and Melilla have risen significantly. The data highlights how irregular migration patterns continue to change across different entry points rather than moving in one direction.

Image: wikicommons

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