Briefing
The city of Ceuta has the Audiencia Nacional on 21 October 2026 a detailed breakdown of extraordinary spending resulting from the mass border crossings on 30 and 31 July 2026 handed over. The document gives a total of €45.32 million, comprising €40.67 million in operating costs and €4.65 million in investment. The city expressly notes that the submission is not a final account of all the consequences: for example, it does not include costs related to the care of unaccompanied minors or estimates of economic damage to the Port Authority, businesses and employment.
The largest individual items in the breakdown are €13.5 million for extraordinary cleaning work, around €7 million for the ecological restoration of beaches and forests, and €4 million for additional waste disposal. Other items include €7.5 million for catering, €1.55 million for the temporary reinforcement of the police force, fire brigade and vehicle fleet, and €450,000 for health measures and vaccination protocols. A sum of €690,000 is earmarked for compensation related to the cancellation of local events (Feria).
The city’s breakdown covers costs already incurred since the end of July 2026 and projected additional expenditure up to 31 December 2026; the city stresses that final accounts may be adjusted after contracts and supplies have been reviewed. The documents provide the Audiencia Nacional with background information for ongoing investigations; they do not assign legal liability.
On 13 October 2026, the central government approved, by means of a Real Decreto‑Ley a direct grant of €45.3 million to safeguard Ceuta’s financial stability. The aid is linked to measures set out in the Real Decreto‑Ley and intended to ensure the provision of essential services in the city.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).