Moroccan Border Congestion Soars as Expats Flock to Ceuta for Cheaper Entry

4 July 2022 – byPrince · 1 min read

The low cost of the crossing through Ceuta and the strict health and documentary checks at the Tarajal border constitute the two reasons for the significant influx of Moroccans residing abroad (MREs) arriving in the autonomous city, causing a massive traffic jam at the border with Morocco.

Thousands of MRE vehicles are arriving in Ceuta to enter Morocco and spend hours at the Tarajal border. This is due to the low cost of the crossing through Ceuta compared to Tangier, and the health and documentary checks carried out by the Moroccan border police.

For this first weekend of July, the influx was greater in Ceuta, according to Antena3. The other reason given is the celebration of Eid al-Adha scheduled for July 10 in Morocco.

According to the authorities, around 300 vehicles per hour arrived in the autonomous city. In some cases, they spend up to 9 hours in the waiting line at the border. The desperate MREs have expressed their frustration.

Category: Spain

Keywords:

Ceuta Operation Marhaba Moroccan Living Abroad