MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – The Spanish authorities have initiated temporary border controls for individuals arriving from Italy by air and sea. The Spanish government began enforcing these measures at midnight on Aug. 8, with plans to maintain them until Sept. 7. Officials are verifying passports, nationality, and visa details where necessary. These checks apply to Italian travelers and other passengers entering Spain from Italy. The measure follows Italy’s earlier decision to reintroduce temporary controls on certain arrivals from Spain.
During the first day of enforcement, Spain’s Interior Ministry reported that officers examined 199 passengers on 12 flights originating from Italy. The inspections took place at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. Travelers on the affected routes might be subject to document checks before completing their arrival procedures. These controls do not constitute a border closure; air and sea connections between Spain and Italy continue as usual while the temporary measures are in place.
Italy reinstated checks on Aug. 1 following a surge of migrants entering Ceuta from Morocco in late July. Italian authorities have applied these restrictions to non-EU nationals arriving by air and sea from Spain. Citizens of Spain, Italy, and other EU countries were not targeted by these controls. Italy notified European authorities that the measure would be in effect until Sept. 1. Spain subsequently introduced its own checks after calling for the Italian restrictions to be withdrawn.
Ceuta migration surge prompted bilateral controls
Approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the significant influx from Morocco that began in late July. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated on Aug. 4 that roughly 70,000 individuals had already left the territory. Ceuta, situated on the North African coast, remains outside the Schengen Area. This migration event occurred just before Italy reinstated controls on certain travelers from Spain. Subsequently, Spain announced inspections for passengers arriving from Italy through its airports and seaports.
Madrid announced the measure on Aug. 7, following objections to the restrictions imposed by Rome. Spain argued that Italy’s controls lacked justification and discriminated against the country. Italy maintained its measures, and Spain began its own inspections the next day. The two nations have set different end dates for their current controls; Italy’s are valid until Sept. 1, while Spain’s are scheduled to last until Sept. 7.
Temporary border checks permitted within Schengen rules
The Schengen Area generally allows travelers to cross internal borders of participating countries without routine passport checks. However, its regulations authorize governments to reintroduce temporary controls if a serious threat to public order or internal security is identified. According to the European Commission, such border checks should be used only when necessary and for limited periods. Spain and Italy remain members of the Schengen Area, and their current measures involve temporary screening without suspending normal travel between the two nations.
Those traveling from Italy to Spain should be prepared for possible identity and immigration checks at Spanish airports and seaports during the enforcement period. Spain recorded its first day of inspections at six major airports, examining nearly 200 travelers. Meanwhile, Italy continues separate checks on targeted non-EU arrivals from Spain under its notified schedule. Both measures are temporary and fall within the Schengen framework. Spain’s current timetable extends these checks until Sept. 7.