MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Temporary border controls have been put in place by Spain for travelers arriving from Italy via air and sea routes. These measures started at midnight on Aug. 8 and are set to last until Sept. 7. Authorities are now conducting checks on travel and immigration documents along routes that typically operate without routine internal border controls. This step follows Italy’s earlier decision to reintroduce checks on certain passengers arriving from Spain.
On the first day, Spain’s Interior Ministry reported inspections of 199 passengers traveling on 12 flights from Italy. The controls were carried out at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. The process includes verifying passports, nationality, and visa status where necessary. While these temporary controls are in effect, flights and maritime services between Spain and Italy continue operating normally.
Italy implemented its own temporary border checks starting August 1, following a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta from Morocco. Rome’s measures target non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air or sea, excluding Italian, Spanish, and other EU citizens. Italy informed European authorities that these controls would be maintained until Sept. 1 under the current schedule.
Border measures in Ceuta preceded Italy’s controls
During the large migrant influx from Morocco that began in late July, approximately 72,000 individuals entered Ceuta. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated that by Aug. 4, roughly 70,000 had left the territory. Situated on the North African coast and outside the Schengen Area, Ceuta’s situation occurred before Italy’s temporary checks and Spain’s subsequent decision to impose controls on arrivals from Italy.
Madrid had urged Rome to lift its restrictions prior to Spain announcing its new controls on Aug. 7. Spain criticized Italy’s measures, calling them unjustified and unfairly targeting the country. Italy maintained its controls while Spain introduced its own temporary border checks the following day. Both countries have set different expiration dates for their measures, but regular air and sea connections between them remain operational.
Temporary checks are permitted under Schengen regulations
The Schengen Area generally allows free movement across internal borders without routine passport controls among member countries. However, its rules permit governments to reintroduce internal checks if a serious threat to public order or internal security is identified. The European Commission states that such measures should only be used when necessary and for a limited time. Spain and Italy remain within the Schengen Area during their temporary border controls.
Travelers arriving in Spain from Italy should anticipate potential identity and immigration document checks at airports and seaports. On the opening day of the measure, Spain conducted inspections at six major airports. Meanwhile, Italy continues its separate checks on specific arrivals from Spain under its announced timetable. Spain intends to uphold its controls until Sept. 7, with no overall suspension of passenger travel between the two nations.