MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Spain has initiated provisional border controls for individuals arriving from Italy by air and sea. This measure went into effect at midnight on Aug. 8 and will remain in place until Sept. 7. Authorities are conducting passport, nationality, and visa status checks where necessary. These controls target Italian travelers and other passengers entering Spain from Italy. The decision follows Italy’s earlier implementation of temporary checks on certain arrivals from Spain.
According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, officers examined 199 passengers on 12 flights from Italy during the initial day of enforcement. These inspections took place at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. Travelers on the affected routes might face document verification before completing their arrival procedures. It is important to note that these controls do not constitute a border closure. Air and sea connections between Spain and Italy are still operational while these temporary measures are in effect.
Italy reintroduced border checks on Aug. 1 following a significant influx of migrants entering Ceuta from Morocco in late July. Italian authorities applied the measure to non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air and sea. Citizens of Spain, Italy, and other EU countries were not included in these targeted controls. Italy informed European authorities that the measure would continue until Sept. 1. Spain subsequently introduced its own checks after calling for Italy’s restrictions to be withdrawn.
Ceuta migration surge preceded bilateral border controls
Approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the large movement from Morocco that started in late July. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated on Aug. 4 that around 70,000 individuals had already left the territory. Ceuta, located on the North African coast, remains outside the Schengen Area. This migration incident occurred before Italy reinstated controls on certain travelers from Spain. Subsequently, Spain announced checks on passengers arriving from Italy via its airports and seaports.
Spain announced its measures on Aug. 7 after expressing objections to Italy’s restrictions. The Spanish government argued that Italy’s controls lacked justification and unfairly discriminated against Spain. Italy maintained its measures, and Spain began its own inspections the following day. The two nations set different end dates for their respective controls. Italy’s temporary restrictions are scheduled to last through Sept. 1, while Spain plans to keep its checks in place until Sept. 7.
Schengen rules allow temporary border controls during emergencies
Normally, the Schengen Area permits travelers to move across internal borders without routine passport checks. However, its regulations allow governments to reintroduce temporary controls if there is a serious threat to public order or internal security. The European Commission emphasizes that border checks should only be used when necessary and for limited periods. Both Spain and Italy are members of the Schengen Area. Their current measures involve temporary screening measures without suspending regular travel between the two countries.
Travelers moving from Italy to Spain should anticipate possible identity and immigration checks at Spanish airports and seaports during the enforcement period. Spain recorded its first day of inspections across six major airports, with nearly 200 travelers checked. Meanwhile, Italy continues separate checks on targeted non-EU arrivals from Spain, based on its scheduled measures. These controls are temporary and operate within the Schengen framework. Spain’s current timetable extends these checks until Sept. 7.