MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Spain has implemented temporary border controls for individuals arriving from Italy by air and sea. This measure was activated at midnight on Aug. 8 and is scheduled to remain in effect until Sept. 7. Authorities are conducting passport checks, verifying nationality, and assessing visa requirements where applicable. These controls target Italian travelers and all passengers entering Spain from Italy. The decision follows Italy’s earlier enforcement of temporary checks on certain arrivals from Spain.
According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, during the initial day of enforcement, officers inspected 199 passengers on 12 flights arriving from Italy. The checks were carried out at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. Travelers on these routes may be subject to document verification before completing their entry procedures. These controls do not constitute a border closure; air and sea connections between Spain and Italy remain open while the temporary measures are in place.
Italy reintroduced checks on Aug. 1 following a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta from Morocco in late July. Italian authorities extended their controls to non-EU nationals arriving from Spain via air and sea. However, Spanish, Italian, and other EU citizens were not affected by these measures. Italy informed European authorities that its restrictions would continue through Sept. 1. Spain subsequently adopted its own border checks after calling for Italy to withdraw the restrictions.
Ceuta migration surge precedes bilateral border measures
Approximately 72,000 migrants crossed into Ceuta during the large migration wave from Morocco that began in late July. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated on Aug. 4 that around 70,000 had already departed from the territory. Ceuta is situated on the North African coast and remains outside the Schengen Area. This migration event occurred prior to Italy restoring controls on certain travelers from Spain. Spain then announced its own checks for passengers arriving from Italy through airports and seaports.
Madrid revealed the Spanish border measures on Aug. 7 after expressing opposition to Italy’s restrictions. Spain argued that Italy’s controls lacked sufficient justification and unfairly discriminated against Spain. Italy maintained its measures, and Spain began implementing its inspections the following day. The two nations have set different end dates for their respective controls, with Italy’s scheduled to end on Sept. 1 and Spain’s to continue until Sept. 7.
Temporary controls within the Schengen framework
While the Schengen Area generally allows free movement across internal borders without routine passport checks, its regulations permit temporary controls if a serious threat to public order or internal security is identified. The European Commission advises governments to limit internal border checks to essential circumstances and brief durations. Both Spain and Italy remain members of the Schengen Area. Their current measures introduce temporary screening procedures without suspending normal travel between the two countries.
Travelers from Italy heading to Spain should anticipate possible identity and immigration screenings at Spanish airports and seaports during the enforcement period. Spain’s first day of inspections involved nearly 200 travelers across six major airports. Italy continues to enforce separate controls on targeted non-EU arrivals from Spain, adhering to its notified schedule. These measures are temporary, aligned with the Schengen rules, with Spain’s controls scheduled to last until Sept. 7.