# Irregular migration trends in Melilla

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/irregular-migration-trends-in-melilla
> Updated: 2026-09-27T15:05:50.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Melilla has experienced a significant surge in irregular migration arrivals during the first half of 2026. Data from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior and the Frontera Sur Observatory indicates a 156.7 percent increase in irregular entries compared to the same period in the previous year, with 647 recorded entries between January and mid-September.

The majority of these arrivals, totaling 624 cases, occurred via the land route between Melilla and the Nador region, involving attempts to scale the border fence and crossings through the official border post. 

While Melilla saw a sharp relative increase, it accounts for approximately 3 percent of the 21,906 total irregular entries recorded across all of Spain as of mid-September. This overall Spanish figure represents a 16.5 percent decrease compared to 2025. Combined, the cities of Melilla and Ceuta recorded 4,700 land entries this year, a 78.7 percent increase over the previous year.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-27: Melilla sees 156% surge in irregular migration arrivals

Melilla recorded a 156.7% surge in irregular migration arrivals in the first half of 2026, primarily via land routes from the Nador region, according to Spanish official data.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/melilla-sees-156-surge-in-irregular-migration-arrivals

### 2026-09-06: Melilla public employment grows by 7.5% in one year

Melilla's public sector workforce grew by 7.5% in one year, reaching 10,431 employees as of January 2026.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/melilla-public-employment-grows-by-75-in-one-year

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Cite as: Irregular migration trends in Melilla. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/irregular-migration-trends-in-melilla