MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Starting from midnight on Aug. 8 and continuing through Sept. 7, Spain has reintroduced temporary border controls for individuals arriving from Italy by air and sea. Officials are verifying passports, nationality, and visa status where applicable. These measures affect Italian travelers and other passengers entering Spain from Italy. This action follows Italy’s earlier decision to reintroduce temporary checks on certain arrivals from Spain.
On the first day of enforcement, Spain’s Interior Ministry reported that officers inspected 199 passengers on 12 flights originating from Italy. The inspections were carried out at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. Travelers on the affected routes may undergo document verification before completing their arrival procedures. It is important to note that these controls do not constitute a border closure. Air and sea links between Spain and Italy remain operational while the measures are in place.
Italy reinstated controls on Aug. 1 following a significant influx of migrants crossing into Ceuta from Morocco in late July. The Italian authorities applied these measures to non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air and sea. Citizens of Spain, Italy, and other EU countries were not targeted by these controls. Italy informed European authorities that the restrictions would continue until Sept. 1. Subsequently, Spain announced its own checks after calling for Italy to withdraw its restrictions.
Ceuta migration influx prompted bilateral border measures
Approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the mass movement from Morocco that began in late July. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated on Aug. 4 that around 70,000 individuals had already left the territory. Ceuta is situated on the North African coast and remains outside the Schengen Area. This migration surge occurred prior to Italy’s reintroduction of controls on certain travelers from Spain. Following that, Spain announced its own checks for passengers arriving from Italy via airports and ports.
Madrid revealed the Spanish measure on Aug. 7 after opposing Italy’s restrictions, claiming they lacked justification and were discriminatory. Italy maintained its controls, and Spain commenced its own inspections the next day. The two nations have set different end dates for their respective measures; Italy’s control period runs through Sept. 1, while Spain’s checks are scheduled to last until Sept. 7.
Temporary border checks allowed within Schengen guidelines
In the Schengen Area, internal border crossings usually occur without routine passport inspections. However, its rules permit governments to reintroduce temporary controls when facing a serious threat to public policy or internal security. The European Commission emphasizes that these controls should be used only when necessary and for limited periods. Both Spain and Italy remain members of the Schengen Agreement. Their current measures consist of temporary screening procedures without suspending normal travel between the two countries.
Travelers from Italy to Spain should anticipate potential identity and immigration checks at Spanish airports and seaports during the enforcement period. Spain’s first day of inspections involved nearly 200 travelers across six major airports. Meanwhile, Italy continues its separate checks on targeted non-EU arrivals from Spain, aligned with its notified schedule. These measures are temporary within the Schengen framework, with Spain’s controls scheduled to remain in effect until Sept. 7.