MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Spain has initiated temporary border controls for travelers arriving from Italy by air and sea. Effective from midnight on Aug. 8, the measures are set to continue until Sept. 7. Officials are verifying passports, nationality, and visa status where applicable. These controls affect Italian travelers and other passengers entering Spain from Italy. This step follows Italy’s earlier decision to impose temporary checks on select arrivals from Spain.
On the first day of these measures, Spain’s Interior Ministry reported that officers examined 199 passengers on 12 flights from Italy. The inspections took place at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. Travelers on affected routes might be subject to document verification before completing their entry process. These controls do not equate to a border closure, as air and sea links between Spain and Italy remain operational during the enforcement period.
Italy reintroduced checks on Aug. 1 following a significant influx of migrants crossing into Ceuta from Morocco in late July. Their authorities targeted non-EU nationals arriving from Spain via air and sea, excluding Spanish, Italian, and other EU citizens from the scope of these restrictions. Italy notified European authorities that their measures would remain in place through Sept. 1. Subsequently, Spain announced its own checks after calling for the Italian restrictions to be withdrawn.
Ceuta migration surge preceded bilateral border controls
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 migrants had already departed from the territory. Ceuta, situated on the North African coast, remains outside the Schengen Area. This migration event occurred before Italy reinstated controls on certain travelers from Spain. Subsequently, Spain announced that it would implement checks for passengers arriving from Italy at its airports and ports.
The Spanish government announced its measure on Aug. 7 following objections to Italy’s restrictions, which Spain claimed lacked justification and were discriminatory. Italy maintained its controls, and Spain launched its own inspections the next day. The two countries set different end dates for their controls, with Italy’s measures scheduled to last through Sept. 1 and Spain’s until Sept. 7.
Temporary controls permitted within Schengen rules
Under normal circumstances, the Schengen Area allows travelers to move across borders of member states without routine passport checks. However, its regulations permit governments to reintroduce temporary border controls if a serious threat to public policy or internal security is identified. The European Commission advises that internal border checks should be used only when necessary and for limited periods. Both Spain and Italy remain members of the Schengen Area, and their current measures involve temporary screening without suspending standard travel between the two countries.
Travelers from Italy to Spain should anticipate possible identity and immigration checks at Spanish airports and seaports during this enforcement period. On its first day, Spain conducted inspections at six major airports, scrutinizing nearly 200 passengers. Italy continues separate checks on targeted non-EU arrivals from Spain according to its notified schedule. Both sets of measures are temporary and operate within the Schengen framework, with Spain’s controls scheduled to remain in effect until Sept. 7.