MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Starting from midnight on August 8, Spain has implemented temporary border controls on individuals arriving from Italy via air and sea. These measures are set to be in effect until September 7. The move came after Italy introduced its own temporary checks on arrivals from Spain. This new policy involves conducting document verification on routes that typically operate under the European Union’s Schengen zone of internal travel.
On the first day of enforcement, Spain’s Interior Ministry carried out inspections on 199 travelers aboard 12 flights originating from Italy. Checks were performed at airports located in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. The procedures include verifying passports, nationality, and visa status for Italian passengers and other travelers arriving from Italy. While these temporary restrictions are in effect, air and sea travel between Spain and Italy continues normally.
Italy started its own controls on August 1 following a significant migration surge into Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave. Italian officials stated their measures would remain in force at least until August 15. According to Rome, the checks are aimed at non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air or sea. However, Italian and other EU citizens are excluded from the restrictions, as specified by the Italian government’s announced terms.
Migration surge in Ceuta triggers new border controls
In late July, approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta amid a mass migration event from Morocco. By August 4, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reported that around 70,000 of those individuals had left the enclave. Situated on the North African coast and outside the Schengen Area, Ceuta experienced this migration wave prior to Italy’s decision to reintroduce checks on travelers arriving from Spain and Spain’s own reciprocal border controls.
Spain had urged Italy to rescind its restrictions before announcing its own border controls last Friday. Madrid condemned Italy’s measures as unjustified and discriminatory against Spain, while Rome affirmed it would uphold its controls. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed hope on Sunday that Rome could lift the restrictions once the perceived risk diminishes. Spain, for its part, designated September 7 as the planned conclusion date for its temporary checks on arrivals from Italy.
Temporary border controls are allowed under Schengen regulations
The Schengen Area generally permits unrestricted movement across internal borders for travelers among 29 European countries. Nonetheless, EU regulations authorize member states to reintroduce internal border controls temporarily when a serious threat to public policy or internal security is identified. The European Commission characterizes such measures as a last resort, which must be proportionate and limited to what is essential. Spain and Italy remain members of the Schengen Area during the duration of these temporary controls.
For travelers, this means individuals arriving from Italy may now face identity and immigration document checks at Spanish airports and seaports. Spain’s Interior Ministry recorded nearly 200 passengers checked at six major airports on the first day of enforcement. Meanwhile, Italy continues its separate checks on specific arrivals from Spain until at least August 15. Spain’s border controls are scheduled to remain in place through September 7, with no suspension of general air or sea travel between the two nations.