MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Temporary border inspections have been reintroduced by Spain for passengers arriving from Italy via air and sea. These measures began at midnight on Aug. 8 and are scheduled to last until Sept. 7. Authorities are verifying passports, nationality, and visa status where necessary, with the controls targeting Italian travelers and other passengers entering Spain from Italy. This action follows Italy’s earlier implementation of temporary checks on specific arrivals from Spain.
During the first day of enforcement, Spain’s Interior Ministry reported that officers examined 199 passengers on 12 flights originating from Italy. These inspections occurred at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. Travelers on affected routes might face document verification before completing their arrival procedures. It is important to note that these checks do not constitute a border closure. Air and sea links between Spain and Italy remain operational as long as these temporary measures are in place.
Italy reintroduced border checks on Aug. 1 following a significant influx of migrants entering Ceuta from Morocco in late July. Italian authorities extended their measure to non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air and sea, excluding Spanish, Italian, and other EU citizens from these targeted controls. Italy informed European authorities that the restrictions would continue until Sept. 1. Subsequently, Spain introduced its own border checks after calling for the Italian restrictions to be withdrawn.
Ceuta influx set the stage for bilateral border measures
During the large migration event from Morocco that began in late July, around 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated on Aug. 4 that approximately 70,000 individuals had already left the territory. Located on the North African coast, Ceuta remains outside the Schengen Area. The migration wave preceded Italy’s decision to restore controls on certain travelers from Spain, prompting Spain to announce checks on passengers arriving from Italy via airports and seaports.
Spain’s government announced the measure on Aug. 7 following objections to Italy’s restrictions, criticizing them as unjustified and discriminatory. Italy maintained its controls, and Spain began its inspections the next day. The two nations have set different end dates for their respective measures, with Italy’s scheduled through Sept. 1 and Spain’s extending until Sept. 7. Both countries consider these restrictions temporary within the Schengen Area framework.
Temporary border checks are permitted under Schengen rules
The Schengen Agreement typically allows travelers to cross internal borders without routine passport checks among participating countries. However, its regulations permit governments to reintroduce temporary controls when a serious threat to public policy or internal security is identified. The European Commission advises that border checks should only be used when necessary and for limited durations. Both Spain and Italy remain members of the Schengen Area, and their current measures serve as temporary screenings without suspending the free movement of travelers between them.
Passengers traveling from Italy to Spain should anticipate possible identity and immigration checks at Spanish airports and seaports during the enforcement period. Spain’s first day of inspections covered nearly 200 travelers across six major airports. Meanwhile, Italy continues its separate checks on targeted non-EU arrivals from Spain according to its notified schedule. These controls are temporary measures within the Schengen framework, with Spain’s current schedule keeping its checks in place through Sept. 7.