MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Spain has initiated temporary border inspections for individuals arriving from Italy by air and sea. These measures went into effect at midnight on Aug. 8 and are expected to stay in place until Sept. 7. Spain implemented this step in response to Italy’s own temporary controls on arrivals from Spain. The new protocol adds document verification to routes that typically operate under the European Union’s Schengen agreement on internal travel.
On the first day of these new procedures, Spain’s Interior Ministry examined 199 travelers on 12 flights originating from Italy. Checks were carried out at airports 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. Air and sea routes between Spain and Italy remain operational during the enforcement of these temporary checks.
Italy introduced its own controls on Aug. 1, following a significant migration influx into Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave. Italian authorities announced that their measures would stay in effect until at least Aug. 15. The Italian government specified that these checks target non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air or sea. Citizens of Italy and other EU countries are not affected by these restrictions, as clarified by the government.
Ceuta migration wave prompts new border controls
Approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the mass movement from Morocco that began in late July. As of Aug. 4, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reported that around 70,000 of those migrants had departed from the enclave. Ceuta, located on the North African coast, is outside the Schengen Area. This migration surge preceded Italy’s decision to reinstate checks on specific travelers arriving from Spain and was followed by Spain’s reciprocal controls.
Spain called on Italy to lift its restrictions before unveiling its own border checks last Friday. Madrid criticized the Italian measures as unjustified and discriminatory against Spain, while Rome maintained its controls. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated on Sunday that Italy hoped to remove the restrictions once the perceived risk diminishes. Spain, in turn, designated Sept. 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 typically permits travelers to cross internal borders without routine passport checks across 29 European nations. However, EU regulations allow member states to reintroduce internal border controls when a serious threat to public policy or internal security is identified. The European Commission emphasizes that such measures are last-resort actions that must be limited to what is strictly necessary. Both Spain and Italy remain members of the Schengen Area while these temporary measures are enforced.
For travelers, Spain’s decision means that arrivals from Italy may now face identity and immigration document checks at Spanish airports and seaports. Spain’s Interior Ministry recorded the initial checks at six major airports, involving nearly 200 passengers on the first day. Italy continues its separate controls on specific arrivals from Spain until at least Aug. 15 per its current schedule. Spain’s controls are set to continue through Sept. 7, with no overall suspension of air or sea travel between the two countries.