MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Spain has initiated provisional border inspections for individuals arriving from Italy by air and sea. These measures came into effect at midnight on Aug. 8 and are set to remain in force until Sept. 7. The step was taken by Spain following Italy’s decision to enforce its own temporary controls on arrivals originating from Spain. The new procedures add document verification to routes that typically operate under the European Union’s Schengen system of internal travel.
During the first day of the controls, Spain’s Interior Ministry examined 199 travelers on 12 flights coming from Italy. Checks were conducted at major airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. These procedures involve verifying passports, nationality, and visa status for Italian passengers and other travelers arriving from Italy. Travel by air and sea between the two nations continues while the temporary measures are enforced.
Italy began its border controls on Aug. 1 following the significant migration surge into Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave. Italian authorities stated their restrictions would be in place at least until Aug. 15. Rome’s measures target non-EU nationals arriving from Spain via air or sea, while Italian and other EU citizens are not affected by these restrictions, as per the Italian government’s announcement.
Migration into Ceuta sparks the implementation of new controls
Approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta amid the large-scale movement from Morocco that started in late July. By Aug. 4, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reported that about 70,000 of those arrivals had left the enclave. Situated on the North African coast and outside the Schengen Area, Ceuta’s migration episode prompted Italy’s decision to reintroduce checks on certain travelers arriving from Spain and Spain’s reciprocal border controls.
Spain had urged Italy to revoke its restrictions prior to announcing its own border controls on Friday. Madrid characterized Italy’s measures as unjustified and discriminatory against Spain, while Italy confirmed it would keep its controls in place. On Sunday, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed hope that Rome could lift the restrictions once the perceived risk diminishes. Spain designated Sept. 7 as the planned conclusion date for its temporary checks on arrivals from Italy.
Temporary border controls align with Schengen regulations
The Schengen Area generally permits free movement across internal borders for travelers in 29 European countries. However, EU rules allow member states to reintroduce border controls temporarily if they face serious threats to public policy or internal security. The European Commission states that such measures are a last resort, should be as limited as necessary, and must be justified by the authorities. Both Spain and Italy continue to be part of the Schengen Area while these temporary restrictions are active.
For travelers, Spain’s decision means that individuals arriving from Italy may now undergo identity and immigration document checks at Spanish airports and seaports. The Spanish Interior Ministry conducted initial checks at six key airports, inspecting nearly 200 passengers on the first day. Meanwhile, Italy persists with its separate controls on specific arrivals from Spain until at least Aug. 15. Spain’s measures are scheduled to be in place until Sept. 7, with no overall suspension of air or sea travel between the two nations.