MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Spain has introduced temporary border controls for travelers arriving from Italy by air and sea. The new measures began at midnight on Aug. 8 and will continue until Sept. 7. Authorities are verifying passports, nationality, and visa status where necessary. These checks apply to Italian travelers and all passengers entering Spain from Italy. The move follows Italy’s earlier decision to implement temporary checks on certain arrivals from Spain.
According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, officers examined 199 passengers on 12 flights from Italy on the first day of the enforcement. The inspections took place at Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia airports. Travelers on affected routes may face document checks before completing their arrival process. These controls do not close the border. Flights and sea routes between Spain and Italy continue as usual while the measures stay in effect.
Italy reinstated controls on Aug. 1 after a surge of migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco in late July. Italian authorities applied the measure to non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air and sea. Spanish, Italian, and other EU citizens were not targeted by these controls. Italy informed European authorities that its restrictions would last until Sept. 1. Spain responded by introducing its own checks after calling for Italy to withdraw the restrictions.
Ceuta migration surge preceded bilateral border controls
Approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the migration wave from Morocco that began in late July. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated on Aug. 4 that around 70,000 had already left the territory. Ceuta is on the North African coast and remains outside the Schengen Area. The migration event occurred before Italy restored controls on certain travelers from Spain. Following this, Spain announced checks for passengers arriving from Italy through its airports and seaports.
Madrid announced the Spanish border checks on Aug. 7 after expressing objections to Italy’s restrictions. Spain argued that Italy’s controls lacked justification and were discriminatory. Italy kept its measures in place, and Spain began its inspections the next day. The two countries set different end dates. Italy’s controls are scheduled to run through Sept. 1, while Spain’s are set until Sept. 7.
Temporary border checks allowed within Schengen rules
The Schengen Area generally permits travelers to cross borders within participating countries without routine passport checks. Its rules allow governments to restore temporary controls if there is a serious threat to public policy or internal security. The European Commission states that border checks should only be used when necessary and for limited durations. Spain and Italy remain part of the Schengen Agreement. Their current measures involve temporary screenings that do not suspend regular movement between the two nations.
Travelers from Italy to Spain should expect possible identity and immigration checks at Spanish airports and seaports during this period. Spain’s first day of inspections involved nearly 200 travelers across six major airports. Italy continues its separate checks on targeted non-EU arrivals from Spain according to its schedule. Both countries are implementing these measures as temporary within the Schengen framework. Spain’s current plan extends its checks through Sept. 7.