MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Beginning at midnight on Aug. 8, Spain has implemented temporary border controls for individuals arriving from Italy by air and sea. These measures are set to last until Sept. 7. Authorities are now inspecting travel and immigration documents at routes that usually operate without routine internal border checks. This step comes after Italy’s earlier decision to reintroduce checks on certain passengers arriving from Spain.
On the first day, Spain’s Interior Ministry reported that 199 passengers traveling on 12 flights from Italy underwent border controls. The checks took place at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. The process involved verifying passports, nationality, and visa status where relevant. Despite the temporary controls, flights and maritime services linking Spain and Italy continue to operate normally.
Italy introduced its own temporary border controls starting August 1, following a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta from Morocco. Rome’s restrictions targeted non-EU nationals arriving from Spain via air or sea, excluding Italian, Spanish, and other EU citizens. Italy informed European authorities that these controls would be in place until September 1 under the current schedule.
Ceuta arrivals set the stage for border measures
During the large migration surge from Morocco that began in late July, approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated that by August 4, around 70,000 had left the territory. Ceuta, located on the North African coast and outside the Schengen Area, was a precursor to Italy’s implementation of temporary border checks and Spain’s decision to impose controls on arrivals from Italy.
Madrid had called on Rome to lift its restrictions before Spain announced its new checks on August 7. Spain criticized Italy’s measures as unjustified and unfairly targeting the country. Italy maintained its controls, while Spain introduced its own temporary border measures the following day. Both nations have set separate expiration dates for their current controls, with regular air and sea routes still functioning between them.
Temporary border controls are permitted under Schengen regulations
The Schengen Area generally allows free movement across internal borders without routine passport checks among member countries. However, its rules permit governments to reinstate internal controls if they face a serious threat to public policy or internal security. According to the European Commission, such measures should be used only when necessary and for a limited duration. Spain and Italy remain within the Schengen Area while their temporary border controls are active.
Travelers arriving in Spain from Italy should anticipate possible identity and immigration document inspections at airports and seaports. Spain initiated checks at six major airports on the first day of the measure. Meanwhile, Italy continues its separate controls on targeted arrivals from Spain under its notified timetable. Spain intends to keep its border checks in place until Sept. 7, with no plans to halt passenger travel between the two countries during this period.