MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Spain has put in place provisional border inspections for individuals arriving from Italy via air and sea routes. These checks started at midnight on Aug. 8 and are expected to remain in effect until Sept. 7. Authorities are now verifying travel and immigration documents on routes that usually operate without routine internal border checks. This move follows Italy’s earlier decision to reintroduce controls on certain passengers arriving from Spain.
During the first day of implementation, Spain’s Interior Ministry reported screening 199 passengers on 12 flights originating from Italy. The controls were carried out at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. The process involves checking passports, nationality, and visa status where applicable. Despite these measures, flights and maritime services connecting Spain and Italy continue to operate normally while the temporary checks are in place.
Italy’s own temporary border controls began on Aug. 1, following a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta from Morocco. Rome implemented these checks on non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air or sea, but did not include Italian citizens, Spanish citizens, or other EU nationals in the restrictions. Italy informed European authorities that its controls would be in effect until Sept. 1, according to the current schedule.
Ceuta migration surge preceded border measures
Approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the large migration wave from Morocco that started in late July. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska indicated that by Aug. 4, about 70,000 had left the territory. Ceuta, located on the North African coast, is outside the Schengen Area. This migration event occurred before Italy’s implementation of temporary controls and Spain’s subsequent decision to impose border checks on arrivals from Italy.
Madrid had urged Rome to lift its restrictions prior to Spain announcing its new border checks on Aug. 7. Spain criticized Italy’s measures, stating they lacked justification and were unfairly targeting the country. Italy maintained its controls while Spain introduced its own temporary border measures the following day. Both nations have set different expiration dates for their respective controls, but regular air and sea connections between them remain operational.
Temporary border controls are permissible under Schengen regulations
While the Schengen Area generally allows for free movement across internal borders among member states without routine passport checks, its rules permit governments to re-establish internal controls temporarily if they face serious threats to public policy or internal security. The European Commission emphasizes that such measures should only be employed when necessary and for limited durations. Spain and Italy are still within the Schengen framework during the period their border controls are active.
Travelers arriving in Spain from Italy should anticipate possible checks of identity and immigration documentation at airports and seaports. Spain’s initial inspections took place across six major airports on the first day of the new measures. Meanwhile, Italy continues to enforce its targeted controls on certain arrivals from Spain as per its announced timetable. Spain intends to keep its border checks in place through Sept. 7, and there is no indication of a complete suspension of passenger travel between the two countries.