MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Starting from Aug. 8 at midnight, Spain has implemented temporary border inspections for travelers arriving from Italy by air and sea. These controls are set to stay in effect until Sept. 7. The measure was introduced following Italy’s own temporary border restrictions on arrivals from Spain. It involves additional document verification on routes that typically operate under the European Union’s Schengen area of free internal movement.
On the first day of these new restrictions, Spain’s Interior Ministry examined 199 travelers on 12 flights originating from Italy. Checks were conducted at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia, including passport, nationality, and visa status assessments for Italian passengers and other travelers arriving from Italy. Despite the new controls, air and sea travel between the two nations continues as long as these temporary measures are in place.
Italy’s restrictions commenced on Aug. 1 following a surge of migration into Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave. Italian authorities announced their controls would remain in effect until at least Aug. 15, targeting non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by sea or air. According to the Italian government, EU citizens, including Italians, are not affected by these restrictions.
Migration increase in Ceuta triggers Italy’s new border checks
In late July, approximately 72,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta during the large-scale movement from Morocco. By Aug. 4, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reported that roughly 70,000 of these migrants had left the enclave. Ceuta is located on the North African coast and is outside the Schengen Zone. This migration surge preceded Italy’s decision to reintroduce border checks for specific travelers arriving from Spain and Spain’s subsequent reciprocal controls.
Madrid urged Italy to rescind its restrictions prior to announcing its own border checks on Friday. The Spanish government condemned Italy’s measures as unjustified and discriminatory, while Italy confirmed it would uphold its controls. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed hope on Sunday that Rome could lift the restrictions once the risk is deemed no longer present. Spain has designated Sept. 7 as the planned conclusion date for its temporary border checks on arrivals from Italy.
Temporary border controls are allowed under Schengen regulations
Typically, the Schengen Area permits travelers to cross internal borders without routine passport checks across its 29 member countries. Nonetheless, EU regulations allow member states to reinstate border controls temporarily if a serious threat to public order or internal security is identified. The European Commission emphasizes that such measures are a last resort, limited to what authorities find necessary. Both Spain and Italy remain part of the Schengen Area during the enforcement of these temporary controls.
For travelers, this means that arrivals from Italy to Spain may now be subject to identity and immigration document checks at airports and ports. Spain’s Interior Ministry conducted the initial checks at six major airports, with nearly 200 passengers examined on the first day. Italy maintains separate controls for certain arrivals from Spain until at least Aug. 15. Spain’s border checks are expected to continue until Sept. 7, and there is no suspension of general air or sea travel between the two nations during this period.