MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – As part of ongoing measures within the European Union, Spain has initiated temporary border inspections for individuals arriving from Italy by air and sea. These checks commenced at midnight on Aug. 8 and are set to continue until Sept. 7. The move follows Italy’s decision to enforce its own temporary controls on arrivals from Spain, reflecting a reciprocal response amid escalating migration issues. The new procedures add passport and visa verification to the regular routes that operate under the European Union’s Schengen area of free movement.
On the first day of the new restrictions, Spain’s Interior Ministry inspected 199 travelers on 12 flights coming from Italy. Checks were carried out at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia, involving passport, nationality, and visa status verification for Italian passengers and other travelers arriving from Italy. Despite the controls, air and sea transportation between Spain and Italy continues normally during this period.
Italy introduced its own controls on Aug. 1, following a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave. Italian authorities announced that their measures would remain in effect until at least Aug. 15, targeting non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air or sea. According to the Italian government, EU and Italian citizens are excluded from these restrictions, which focus solely on non-EU travelers.
Migration surge in Ceuta prompts border controls
Approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the mass migration wave that started in late July from Morocco. By Aug. 4, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reported that around 70,000 of those migrants had left the enclave. Ceuta, located on the North African coast, is outside the Schengen Area. This migration episode preceded Italy’s decision to reintroduce border checks on specific travelers arriving from Spain, which led to Spain’s reciprocal restrictions.
Spain had urged Italy to withdraw its restrictions before announcing its own border controls on Friday. Madrid described Italy’s measures as unjustified and discriminatory against Spain, while Italy reaffirmed that it would maintain its controls. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani indicated on Sunday that Rome hoped to lift the restrictions once the perceived risk diminished. Spain has scheduled the end of its temporary border checks for Sept. 7, while travel between the two countries remains operational for now.
Temporary border controls are allowed under Schengen regulations
The Schengen Area generally permits free movement across internal borders for travelers across 29 European countries, with no routine passport checks. However, EU rules also authorize member states to reinstate internal border controls temporarily if a serious threat to public order or internal security arises. The European Commission clarifies that such measures are a last resort, and must be limited to what is strictly necessary. Both Spain and Italy remain members of the Schengen Zone while these temporary measures are in effect.
For travelers, Spain’s decision means that individuals arriving from Italy are subject to identity and immigration document checks at Spanish airports and ports. The first inspections took place at six major airports, covering nearly 200 passengers on the initial day. Italy continues its own controls targeting specific arrivals from Spain until at least Aug. 15, according to its timetable. Meanwhile, Spain’s border checks are set to continue through Sept. 7, with no immediate suspension of air or sea connections between the two nations.