Operation Marhaba 2026: A Record Traffic Expected Between Spain and Morocco
The 2026 edition of Operation Marhaba has officially commenced, with unprecedented traffic forecasts between Spain and Morocco. Authorities from both countries are preparing to welcome a record number of travelers and vehicles as part of this annual initiative dedicated to assisting Moroccans living abroad (MRE) during the summer period.
According to estimates, several million passengers and hundreds of thousands of vehicles are expected to transit through the various ports connecting the two shores of the Mediterranean. In anticipation of this influx, significant logistical, security, and health measures have been mobilized to ensure smooth crossings and traveler comfort.
The strategic ports in the Strait of Gibraltar, particularly those in Algeciras, Tarifa, Tangier Med, and Tangier City, will be at the heart of this operation. Port authorities have strengthened their reception capacities and implemented specific measures to reduce waiting times and improve flow management.
Operation Marhaba represents one of the largest seasonal migration movements in the world each year. It involves numerous institutional, port, and security actors from both sides of the Mediterranean to ensure the smooth transit of Moroccans living abroad.
This 2026 edition is particularly significant, driven by a continuous rise in MRE travel and the strengthening of maritime transport infrastructure between Morocco and Spain.
