MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Beginning at midnight on Aug. 8 and scheduled to last until Sept. 7, Spain has introduced temporary border controls for travelers arriving from Italy by air and sea. Officials are verifying passports, nationality, and visa status where applicable. These checks target Italian visitors and other passengers entering Spain from Italy, following Italy’s earlier decision to enforce temporary controls on certain arrivals from Spain.
On the first day of these measures, Spain’s Interior Ministry reported inspecting 199 passengers on 12 flights from Italy. The checks occurred at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. Those affected by the measures may face document checks prior to completing their arrival procedures. It is important to note, however, that these controls do not constitute a border closure; air and sea routes between Spain and Italy remain operational during this period.
Italy reinstated checks on Aug. 1 after a surge of migrants arrived in Ceuta from Morocco in late July. Italian authorities extended their measures to non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air and sea, excluding Spanish, Italian, and other EU citizens from these controls. Italy notified European authorities that its restrictions would last through Sept. 1. Spain responded by introducing its own checks after calling for the withdrawal of Italy’s restrictions.
Ceuta migration preceded bilateral controls
During the large influx from Morocco in late July, approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta, with Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska noting on Aug. 4 that around 70,000 of those migrants had already left the territory. Ceuta, located on the North African coast, remains outside the Schengen Area. This migration event occurred prior to Italy’s reintroduction of controls on certain travelers from Spain. Subsequently, Spain announced checks on travelers arriving from Italy through its airports and seaports.
On Aug. 7, Madrid revealed its own measures after opposing Italy’s restrictions, claiming Italy’s controls lacked justification and discriminated against Spain. Italy maintained its measures, and Spain began its inspections the next day. The two countries have set different end dates: Italy’s controls are scheduled to end on Sept. 1, while Spain plans to keep its checks in place until Sept. 7.
Temporary checks permitted within Schengen rules
The Schengen Agreement generally allows free internal border crossings among member countries without routine passport controls. However, it permits governments to reintroduce temporary border controls when facing significant threats to public policy or internal security. According to the European Commission, these controls should be used only when necessary and for limited durations. Spain and Italy remain members of Schengen, and their current measures involve temporary screening without suspending the free movement of travelers between the two nations.
Travelers from Italy to Spain should anticipate possible identity and immigration checks at Spanish airports and seaports during this control period. Spain recorded its first day of inspections across six major airports, with nearly 200 travelers checked. Italy continues separate controls on targeted non-EU arrivals from Spain based on its notified schedule. Both countries’ measures are temporary within the Schengen framework, with Spain’s controls scheduled to end on Sept. 7.