Far from the images of the mass border rushes at Ceuta and Melilla, a different migration story is unfolding in Algeria in the western Mediterranean.
According to data released on August 12 by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Algeria has become the leading country of origin for irregular migration to Spain, well ahead of Morocco.
Between January and April 2026, Algeria alone accounted for 42% of the 5,647 arrivals recorded in Spain, compared with just 22% for Morocco. Nearly half the Algerian total.
This shift, confirmed since 2025, marks a reversal from the historical pattern, when most crossings originated in Morocco.
The IOM report highlights two distinct dynamics behind these numbers. On the Moroccan side, land crossings at Ceuta and Melilla involved 2,164 people, but these episodes remain sporadic. Large groups attempt crossings in short, concentrated bursts, and nearly all of them are eventually sent back home.
The IOM links this relative control to strengthened cooperation between Rabat and Madrid. By contrast, the exodus from Algeria follows a methodical, almost industrial logic. Smuggling networks disperse boats along the entire Spanish coastline, from the Balearic Islands to Almería, Murcia, and Alicante.
They exploit every favorable weather window. Unlike land migrants, who are frequently intercepted, those setting off by sea from Algeria are making a one-way journey with no return.
One striking finding concerns border enforcement. Even as migratory pressure from Algeria intensifies, interceptions by Algerian coast guard forces fell 37% year-on-year, totaling just 1,002 operations between January and April 2026.
This pullback may serve the interests of Algeria’s government, which faces significant internal socio-economic tensions. Allowing disillusioned young people to leave helps relieve social pressure and reduce the risk of unrest, while shifting the human and security costs onto Europe.
