MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Spain has commenced temporary border inspections for individuals arriving from Italy by air and sea. These controls came into effect at midnight on Aug. 8 and are expected to last until Sept. 7. The measure was introduced following Italy’s implementation of its own temporary controls on arrivals from Spain. This step introduces document verification procedures to routes that typically operate within the European Union’s Schengen agreement on internal mobility.
During the first day of the new measures, Spain’s Interior Ministry checked 199 travelers on 12 flights originating from Italy. Checks were carried out at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. The procedures involved verifying passports, nationality, and visa status for Italian passengers and other travelers arriving from Italy. Despite these measures, air and sea travel between Spain and Italy continues while the temporary controls are in effect.
Italy adopted its own controls starting on Aug. 1, following a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave. Italian authorities announced their measures would remain in place until at least Aug. 15. According to Rome, the controls target non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air or sea, while Italian and other EU citizens are excluded from these restrictions, as clarified by the Italian government.
Ceuta migration wave triggers new border restrictions
Approximately 72,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta during the large-scale migration from Morocco that started in late July. By Aug. 4, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated that roughly 70,000 of those migrants had left the enclave. Ceuta is situated on the North African coast outside the Schengen Area. This migration surge occurred prior to Italy’s decision to reintroduce checks on certain travelers arriving from Spain and the subsequent implementation of reciprocal border controls by Spain.
Spain called on Italy to withdraw its restrictions before announcing its own border checks last Friday. Madrid condemned Italy’s measures as unjustified and discriminatory against Spain, whereas Italy maintained its controls. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani mentioned on Sunday that Rome hoped to lift the restrictions once the risk was no longer deemed significant. Meanwhile, Spain set Sept. 7 as the final date for its temporary border checks on arrivals from Italy.
Temporary border controls are allowed under Schengen rules
Typically, the Schengen Area enables travelers to cross internal borders without routine passport inspections across 29 European nations. However, EU regulations permit member states to reimpose internal border controls when they face serious threats to public policy or internal security. The European Commission describes such measures as a last resort that must be limited to what authorities deem necessary. Both Spain and Italy remain part of the Schengen Agreement while these temporary measures are in place.
For travelers, Spain’s decision means that individuals arriving from Italy may now be subject to identity and immigration document checks at Spanish airports and seaports. The first checks were conducted at six major airports, involving nearly 200 passengers on the opening day. Italy continues its separate controls on specific arrivals from Spain until at least Aug. 15, according to its schedule. Spain’s border checks are scheduled to last until Sept. 7, without any general suspension of air or sea travel between the two countries.