MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Temporary border controls have been reinstated by Spanish authorities for travelers arriving from Italy via air and sea routes. Effective from midnight on Aug. 8 and scheduled to last until Sept. 7, officials are verifying passports, nationality, and visa status where necessary. These measures target Italian travelers and other passengers entering Spain from Italy, following Italy’s earlier decision to reintroduce temporary inspections on certain arrivals from Spain.
According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, officers inspected 199 passengers on 12 flights originating from Italy during the first day of these measures. Checks were carried out at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. Passengers on the affected flights may undergo document verification prior to completing their arrival procedures. It’s important to note that these controls do not constitute a border closure; air and sea links between Spain and Italy remain operational as long as these temporary restrictions are in place.
Italy reintroduced border checks on Aug. 1 following a significant influx of migrants crossing into Ceuta from Morocco in late July. The Italian authorities applied their controls to non-EU nationals arriving from Spain via air and sea, while exempting Spanish, Italian, and other EU citizens from these restrictions. Italy informed European officials that the measures would continue until Sept. 1. Spain responded by implementing its own checks after urging Italy to withdraw the restrictions.
Migration surge in Ceuta preceded bilateral border controls
Approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the large-scale migration event from Morocco that started in late July. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated on Aug. 4 that roughly 70,000 migrants had already left the territory. Situated on the North African coast, Ceuta remains outside the Schengen Area. This migration episode took place prior to Italy’s reinstatement of controls on specific travelers from Spain. Subsequently, Spain announced inspections for passengers arriving from Italy through its airports and seaports.
The Spanish government announced the new measures on Aug. 7 following its objection to Italy’s restrictions. Spain argued that Italy’s controls lacked justification and discriminated against the country. Italy maintained its restrictions, and Spain commenced its own inspections the next day. The two nations have set different end dates for their controls: Italy’s measures are scheduled to end on Sept. 1, while Spain’s checks are planned to last until Sept. 7.
Schengen Area rules support temporary border measures
Within the Schengen Agreement, member countries generally allow travelers to cross borders without routine passport checks. However, the framework permits governments to temporarily restore border controls if a serious threat to public policy or internal security is identified. The European Commission emphasizes that internal border checks should be used only when necessary and for limited durations. Both Spain and Italy remain part of the Schengen Area, with the current measures adding temporary screening while maintaining normal travel flows between the two nations.
During the control period, travelers moving from Italy to Spain should anticipate possible identity and immigration checks at Spanish airports and seaports. Spain conducted its first day of inspections at six major airports, inspecting nearly 200 travelers. Meanwhile, Italy continues its separate checks on targeted non-EU arrivals from Spain based on its notified schedule. These measures are temporary within the Schengen framework, with Spain’s current timetable extending through Sept. 7.