MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Spain has started implementing temporary border checks on passengers arriving from Italy by air and sea. These controls began at midnight on Aug. 8 and are set to last until Sept. 7. Spain introduced the measure in response to Italy’s own temporary controls on arrivals from Spain. The new procedures add document verification to routes typically operating under the European Union’s Schengen agreement on internal travel.
On the first day of these new checks, Spain’s Interior Ministry examined 199 travelers on 12 flights from Italy. The checks took place at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. Officers verified passports, nationality, and visa status for Italian passengers and other travelers arriving from Italy. Travel by air and sea between the two countries continues while the controls are active.
Italy introduced its controls on Aug. 1 after a large influx of migrants into Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave. Italian authorities said their measures would stay in place until at least Aug. 15. Rome stated that the checks target non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air or sea. Italian and other EU citizens are not affected by these restrictions, according to the Italian government’s announcement.
Ceuta migration spike leads to new border controls
Approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the mass movement from Morocco that started in late July. By Aug. 4, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said about 70,000 of those had left the enclave. Ceuta is on the North African coast and is outside the Schengen Area. This migration event occurred before Italy decided to reintroduce checks on certain travelers arriving from Spain and before Spain’s reciprocal controls were put into place.
Spain had called on Italy to lift its restrictions before announcing its own border checks on Friday. Madrid labeled the Italian measures as unjustified and discriminatory against Spain. Italy responded by saying it would keep its controls. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated Sunday that Rome hopes to lift the suspension once the risk is gone. Spain has scheduled Sept. 7 as the final day for its temporary checks on arrivals from Italy.
Temporary border controls are allowed under Schengen rules
The Schengen Area generally allows free movement across internal borders for travelers in 29 European countries. However, EU rules permit member states to restore border controls when they face a serious threat to public order or internal security. The European Commission describes such measures as a last resort that must be kept as limited as necessary. Spain and Italy remain part of the Schengen Area during these temporary restrictions.
For travelers, this means that arrivals from Italy in Spain may now undergo identity and immigration document checks at airports and ports. Spain’s Interior Ministry began the checks at six major airports, examining nearly 200 passengers on the first day. Italy continues its separate controls on specific arrivals from Spain until at least Aug. 15 according to its current schedule. Spain plans to keep its controls in place until Sept. 7, without any broader suspension of air or sea travel between the two countries.