Morocco Allocates €11 Million to Study Gibraltar Tunnel Feasibility 2026

Morocco has allocated over 120 million dirhams (about €11 million) in its 2027 budget to continue studying the feasibility of building an underwater tunnel beneath the Strait of Gibraltar, a project that has been discussed for decades. The funding, earmarked for the state-owned company SNED, will finance a new evaluation of whether the long-envisioned idea can actually be constructed.

Why the New Funding Matters

The allocation shows that Rabat remains committed to its side of a project that has long depended on both countries moving forward at the same pace. Spain is already funding its own technical updates, and any decision to build would require a new bilateral agreement with Morocco, as the Spanish government reminded in 2023. This latest move signals that Morocco is not letting the project fade away, even though actual construction is still years off.

What the €11 Million Will Cover

The funds appear in the 2027 budget documents of Morocco's Ministry of Equipment and Water, under the state-owned company SNED, which is responsible for the studies. The work is part of a joint program with its Spanish counterpart, Secegsa. The plan includes reviewing previous engineering studies, updating the environmental management system, physically exploring underground structures, and commissioning new geostrategic studies.

This is not the first time Morocco has invested in studying the tunnel. Over the years, various feasibility studies have been conducted, but none have led to a final construction decision. The new funding will allow for a fresh look at the technical challenges, which include seismic activity, water pressure at depth, and the logistics of boring a tunnel under a busy shipping lane.

Spain's Role and the Need for Bilateral Cooperation

Spain has been conducting its own technical reviews of the tunnel project, recognizing that any eventual construction would require close coordination with Morocco. In 2023, the Spanish government emphasized that a new bilateral agreement would be necessary before any construction could begin. The two countries have a long history of cooperation on this project, but progress has been slow due to economic, political, and technical hurdles.

The Strait of Gibraltar is one of the world's busiest shipping routes, and building a tunnel would be an engineering feat comparable to the Channel Tunnel. The depth of the strait, which reaches over 900 meters in some places, and the complex geology of the area present significant challenges. The new studies will need to address these issues in detail.

Key Takeaways from the Budget Allocation

• Morocco's 2027 budget includes over 120 million dirhams (€11 million) for tunnel feasibility studies.
• The funds will go to SNED, the state-owned company responsible for the studies, in coordination with Spain's Secegsa.
• The work will involve reviewing previous engineering, updating environmental management, and exploring underground structures.
• No construction is funded; the money is for studies only.
• A new bilateral agreement between Spain and Morocco would be required before any construction begins.

Comparing the Strait of Gibraltar Tunnel to Other Major Undertakings

To understand the scale of the proposed tunnel, it helps to compare it with other famous underwater tunnels. The table below shows some key metrics. The longer history behind the story is traced in Morocco Allocates €11 Million to Study Gibraltar Tunnel Feasibility.

The Gibraltar tunnel would be shorter than the Channel Tunnel but would need to contend with greater water depth and complex geology. The studies funded by Morocco will help determine whether these challenges can be overcome. The background to this story is set out in Morocco Eyes Naval Defense Expo to Rival Spain's Billions. A related thread runs through Levelling Up Projects Still Unfinished Years After Funding Allocated. Earlier coverage in Rabat Morocco Travel Guide: Unesco World Book Capital 2026 shows how the argument developed.

What to Watch Next

The next step will be for SNED and Secegsa to complete their joint studies and present their findings. If the results are favorable, the two governments could move toward a formal agreement and seek international funding. However, given the history of the project, stakeholders should temper expectations. The €11 million allocation is a sign of continued interest, but it is a small fraction of what a full construction project would cost, which could run into billions of euros. A closer look at the same subject appears in Morocco World Cup 2030: Costs, Legacy, and Preparations. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Science: latest articles. The same theme surfaces in Brazil's Santos-Guarujá Undersea Tunnel to Cut Travel to 5 Minutes, which takes a different angle.

For now, the focus is on answering the fundamental question: can a tunnel be built under the Strait of Gibraltar? The answer will determine whether this 40-year-old idea finally moves from the drawing board to reality. Context on how this played out before sits in Historic Post-Brexit Deal Removes Gibraltar Border Fence. A companion piece, Spain and Gibraltar Border Deal: Historic Post-Brexit Agreement, approaches the same subject from another angle.