The Operación Paso del Estrecho (OPE) —known in Morocco as Operación Marhaba (عملية مرحبا)— es el mayor movimiento de personas del año en la frontera: millones de viajeros cruzan entre Europa y Marruecos coincidiendo con las vacaciones. En Ceuta y el Tarajal se nota muchísimo, sobre todo con vehículos.
| Fact | OPE 2026 |
|---|
| Official dates | 15 June – 15 September 2026 |
| Edition | 37th — coordinated between Spain and Morocco (Ministry of the Interior / Civil Protection) |
| Forecast | More than 3.5 million travellers and ~900,000 vehicles across the Strait |
| Outbound phase | June – late July (from Europe to Morocco) |
| Return phase | August – 15 September (from Morocco to Europe) |
| OPE 2027 (planned) | June – September 2027: same windows, pending official confirmation |
What this means at the Tarajal
- Longer queues than usual, especially by vehicle and at weekends. The return phase (August–September) concentrates the longest waits towards Spain.
- On foot it holds up much better: the pedestrian crossing moves much faster than the vehicle one on peak days.
- Police reinforcements on both sides and more document checks: carry your ID/passport and, if you travel with minors, their documents too.
- The live figure matters more than ever: use the waiting estimate and the official camera before leaving — crossing at the wrong time can cost you hours.
Key tips during the OPE:
- If you can choose, avoid Friday afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays to cross by vehicle (the usual pattern, amplified during the OPE).
- Don't travel with more goods than the allowance — during the OPE checks are reinforced. Check the customs guide.
- By car: check the guide to taking your car to Morocco (green card/CIS and temporary admission) before leaving.
- The ferry to Algeciras fills up: book your ticket in advance (see the guide to ferry and helicopter).
- Water and patience: there is no shade in the Tarajal waiting areas.
The border in figures (all year, not just during the OPE)
- ~8,000 people and ~2,100 vehicles cross every day on average through the Tarajal — 2.86 million people and 778,000 vehicles a year, according to the Government Delegation.
- At OPE peaks, 40,000 people in a single day were recorded: 150 people crossing every minute.
- On Fridays and Sundays the flow shoots up (shopping and working days): they are the worst time bands to cross by car, during and outside the OPE.
- The pedestrian crossing always holds up much better than the vehicle one on a peak day: if you can, go on foot.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the border close during the OPE? No: it stays open 24 h, but waits multiply.
- Is there an app or ticket for boarding? For vehicles to Morocco, the City's official app («Embolsamiento de Ceuta») manages the ticket in the holding area; also check the official campaigns for each OPE.
- When does the OPE 2026 end? On 15 September 2026.
- Which day has the shortest queue during the OPE? Tuesday to Thursday in the morning. Friday afternoon and the weekend concentrate the highest flow: it is the all-year pattern, amplified during the OPE.
- How many people cross the Ceuta border normally? An average of ~8,000 people and ~2,100 vehicles a day; at OPE peaks it multiplies by 4-5.
Official sources
See the wait at the border now →
Colas Frontera Ceuta — dates and figures from official sources (Civil Protection, Ministry of the Interior). Updated: 9 September 2026.