Protests by far-right groups, a rise in anti-Moroccan rhetoric, accusations of blackmail, and claims of an “invasion” have dominated public debate in Spain since the start of the Ceuta migration crisis. The latest figures suggest these sentiments extend beyond political activism and into broader public opinion.
According to a poll conducted by NC Report for La Razón, 77.3% of Spaniards believe Morocco behaves like an “enemy country.” Only 16.1% disagreed with that statement, while 6.6% had no opinion.
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The findings suggest anti-Moroccan rhetoric is no longer confined to the radical groups that have demonstrated in recent days but has gained traction among a much broader segment of the Spanish public.
The same survey found that 75.2% of respondents believe Morocco could repeat what the questionnaire describes as an “invasion maneuver.” Another 71.2% viewed the events as an “organized act of aggression” by Rabat, while 69.3% believed Morocco is blackmailing Spanish Head of Government Pedro Sánchez.
The findings should, however, be viewed in context. The survey was conducted between July 31 and August 3, at the height of public reaction to the Ceuta events, when many uncertainties still surrounded the situation. It was based on 1,000 telephone and online interviews and has a margin of error of 3.17%.
A politically divided view of Morocco
Attitudes toward Morocco vary sharply along political lines. Among supporters of the People’s Party (PP), 97.6% described Morocco as an enemy country, a figure that rose to 98.3% among Vox voters.
The picture is markedly different on the left. Among Socialist Party (PSOE) supporters, 32.5% shared that view, while 42.5% rejected it and 25% expressed no opinion. Among Sumar supporters, 21.7% regarded Morocco as an enemy, compared with 65% who rejected that characterization.
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These results should be interpreted in light of the questionnaire’s highly charged language, which employs terms such as “invasion,” “organized act of aggression,” “enemy country,” “blackmail,” and “invasion manoeuvre.” The survey therefore measures agreement with these descriptions rather than establishing their factual basis.
The same political divide appears in responses to a question asking whether Spain had experienced an “invasion” following the arrivals in Ceuta, explicitly referring to a “massive and illegal arrival of Moroccans.” This interpretation was endorsed by 91.9% of PP voters and 91.7% of Vox supporters, compared with 29.5% of PSOE voters and 15% of Sumar supporters.
The gap is equally pronounced when respondents were asked whether the events amounted to an “organized act of aggression by Morocco.” This view was shared by 97.9% of PP voters and all Vox supporters, but rejected by 60% of PSOE voters and 76.6% of Sumar supporters.
The survey therefore does not point to a single, widely shared perception of Morocco, but rather to two sharply contrasting interpretations of the crisis. While PP and Vox voters overwhelmingly endorsed the strongest accusations against Rabat, most PSOE and Sumar supporters rejected them.
Close ties despite growing tensions
These findings stand in sharp contrast to the state of relations between Rabat and Madrid in recent years. The two countries have strengthened cooperation in trade, migration, policing, and security, elevating their partnership to one of its highest levels in decades.
Spain is Morocco’s largest trading partner, with annual trade exceeding €22.5 billion and Spain recording a trade surplus of more than €3 billion. Morocco, Spain, and Portugal are also jointly preparing to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, a project that will require close coordination over the coming years.
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The relationship also extends well beyond diplomacy. Moroccans are the largest group of foreign workers registered with Spain’s social security system. As of June 2026, 422,347 Moroccan workers were contributing to the system, ahead of Romanian, Colombian, and Venezuelan nationals. They play a significant role in sectors including agriculture, construction, hospitality, retail, and services.
Moroccan visitors also make an important contribution to Spain’s economy. Every year, thousands travel to Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Marbella, Granada, and Valencia for holidays, shopping, and family visits. In 2025, visitors from Morocco spent around €1.084 billion in Spain, up 16.7% from the previous year.
The poll provides numerical evidence of hostility that had already become visible in public demonstrations, on social media, and in the positions taken by some political parties. It suggests that, for many respondents, Morocco is no longer seen simply as a neighboring country facing a diplomatic dispute with Spain, but as an enemy country.
The findings are particularly significant given the close economic, security, and human ties linking the two countries, as well as their upcoming joint hosting of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
