MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – As of Aug. 8, Spain has begun enforcing temporary border controls for individuals arriving from Italy by air and sea, with the measure scheduled to last until Sept. 7. Authorities are verifying passports, nationality, and visa status where applicable. These checks affect Italian travelers and other passengers entering Spain from Italy, following Italy’s earlier decision to reintroduce temporary inspections on certain arrivals from Spain.
During the first day of the new measures, Spain’s Interior Ministry reported that officers examined 199 passengers on 12 flights originating from Italy. The inspections took place at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. Travelers on affected routes may undergo document verification before completing their entry process. These controls do not constitute a border closure, and air and sea links between Spain and Italy continue normally while the temporary restrictions are in place.
Italy reinstated border checks on Aug. 1 after a significant influx of migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco in late July. Italian authorities targeted non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air and sea, excluding Spanish, Italian, and other EU citizens from those restrictions. Italy informed European officials that its measure would be active until Sept. 1. Spain responded by introducing its own border checks after calling for the Italian restrictions to be withdrawn.
Ceuta migrant surge preceded bilateral border controls
Approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the large movement from Morocco that began in late July. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated on Aug. 4 that about 70,000 individuals had already left the territory. Ceuta, located on the North African coast, remains outside the Schengen Area. The migration episode occurred prior to Italy’s reintroduction of controls on certain travelers from Spain. Subsequently, Spain announced border checks for passengers arriving from Italy via its airports and seaports.
Madrid announced its own measures on Aug. 7, following objections to Italy’s restrictions. Spain argued that Italy’s controls were unjustified and discriminatory. Italy maintained its measure, and Spain commenced its inspections the next day. The two countries have set different expiration dates: Italy’s controls are scheduled to last through Sept. 1, while Spain’s are planned to stay in place until Sept. 7.
Temporary border checks are permitted under Schengen rules
The Schengen Area generally allows for free movement across internal borders without routine passport checks. However, its regulations permit governments to re-establish temporary controls when a significant threat to public policy or internal security is identified. The European Commission advises that such border controls should be used only when necessary and for limited durations. Spain and Italy, both members of the Schengen Agreement, are implementing these temporary measures without suspending normal travel between their countries.
Travelers moving from Italy to Spain should anticipate potential identity and immigration checks at Spanish airports and seaports during the enforcement period. On its first day of inspections, Spain checked nearly 200 passengers across six major airports. Italy continues its separate checks on targeted non-EU arrivals from Spain under its scheduled timeframe. Both countries’ measures are temporary within the Schengen framework, with Spain’s controls set to remain until Sept. 7.