MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Starting from midnight on Aug. 8, Spain has implemented temporary border controls on travelers arriving from Italy by air and sea, with plans to keep them in place until Sept. 7. The move came in response to Italy’s own temporary measures on arrivals from Spain. These checks introduce document verification procedures along routes that are typically part of the European Union’s Schengen zone of free movement.
On the first day of these new restrictions, Spain’s Interior Ministry inspected 199 travelers on 12 flights originating from Italy. Inspection points were set up at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. The procedures involved examining passports, nationality, and visa status for Italian passengers and other travelers arriving from Italy. Despite these measures, air and sea connections between Spain and Italy continue as usual while the temporary controls are in effect.
Italy enacted its border restrictions on Aug. 1, following a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave. Italian authorities stated their measures would remain in force until at least Aug. 15. The Italian government clarified that the controls target non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air or sea, excluding Italian and other EU citizens, in accordance with its official policies.
Ceuta migration surge sets the stage for new border controls
During the migration event that started in late July from Morocco, approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta. By Aug. 4, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reported that about 70,000 of these arrivals had left the enclave. Located on the North African coast, Ceuta is outside the Schengen Area. The migration wave preceded Italy’s decision to reintroduce checks on certain travelers arriving from Spain, which in turn led to Spain establishing reciprocal border controls.
Spain urged Italy to revoke its restrictions before announcing its own border checks last Friday. Madrid criticized the Italian measures as unjustified and discriminatory against Spain, while Italy declared it would uphold its controls. On Sunday, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed hope that Rome could lift the suspension once the perceived risk diminishes. Spain, in turn, set Sept. 7 as the planned conclusion date for its temporary border checks on arrivals from Italy.
Temporary border controls are allowed under Schengen regulations
The Schengen Area generally permits free movement across internal borders among 29 European countries, with routine passport checks generally not required. However, EU rules also authorize member states to restore internal border controls if a serious threat to public order or internal security is identified. The European Commission states that such measures are considered a last resort and should be limited to what is strictly necessary. Both Spain and Italy remain members of the Schengen Area during the duration of these temporary controls.
For travelers, Spain’s recent decision means that individuals arriving from Italy may face identity and immigration document checks at Spanish airports and ports. Spain’s Interior Ministry recorded nearly 200 passengers being checked at six major airports on the first day. Meanwhile, Italy maintains its separate controls on select arrivals from Spain until at least Aug. 15, with Spain’s border checks scheduled to continue through Sept. 7, without affecting the overall flow of air and sea travel between the two nations.