MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Beginning at midnight on Aug. 8, Spain has initiated temporary border controls for passengers arriving from Italy by air and sea, a move set to last until Sept. 7. Officials are inspecting passports, nationality, and visa status where applicable. The new measures affect Italian travelers and others arriving in Spain from Italy. This step follows Italy’s earlier enactment of temporary checks on certain arrivals from Spain.
On its first day, Spain’s Interior Ministry reported that security officers examined 199 passengers arriving on 12 flights from Italy. The inspections occurred at Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia airports. Travelers on these routes may undergo document verification before completing their arrival procedures. It is important to note that these controls do not constitute a border closure; air and sea links between Spain and Italy remain active during the period of these temporary measures.
Italy reinstated border checks on Aug. 1 after a significant wave of migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco in late July. Italian authorities extended their controls to non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air and sea, excluding Spanish, Italian, and other EU citizens from these measures. Italy notified European authorities that the restrictions would be maintained through Sept. 1. Spain responded by introducing its own checks after calling for the withdrawal of the Italian restrictions.
Ceuta migration surge preceded bilateral border measures
Approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the large influx from Morocco that started in late July. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated on Aug. 4 that around 70,000 individuals had already left the territory. Ceuta, located on the North African coast, remains outside the Schengen Area. The migration event occurred prior to Italy’s reinstatement of controls on certain travelers from Spain. Consequently, Spain announced its own checks for passengers arriving from Italy through its airports and seaports.
Madrid announced the implementation of the Spanish border measures on Aug. 7, following objections to Italy’s restrictions. Spain criticized Italy’s controls as unjustified and discriminatory. While Italy maintained its measures, Spain began its own inspections the next day. The two countries have set different end dates; Italy’s controls are valid until Sept. 1, whereas Spain’s are scheduled to continue until Sept. 7.
Temporary border controls are permitted within Schengen rules
Under normal circumstances, the Schengen Area allows travelers to cross internal borders without routine passport checks. However, the rules permit governments to reintroduce temporary controls if there is a significant threat to public order or internal security. The European Commission advises that such internal border checks should be used only when necessary and for limited durations. Spain and Italy continue to be members of the Schengen Area, and their current measures involve temporary screening without suspending regular cross-border travel between the two nations.
Travelers from Italy to Spain should anticipate potential identity and immigration checks at Spanish airports and seaports during this control period. Spain’s first day of inspections covered nearly 200 travelers across six major airports. Italy persists with separate checks on targeted non-EU arrivals from Spain as per its scheduled timeframe. Both countries’ measures are temporary within the Schengen system, with Spain’s current schedule extending until Sept. 7.