MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Spain has enacted temporary border inspections for travelers arriving from Italy by both air and sea. The new measures began at midnight on Aug. 8 and are set to remain in place until Sept. 7. Authorities are now verifying travel and immigration documents at routes that normally operate without routine internal border controls. This step follows Italy’s earlier decision to reintroduce checks on select passengers arriving from Spain.
On the first day of enforcement, Spain’s Interior Ministry reported that 199 passengers traveling on 12 flights from Italy underwent controls. These procedures took place at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. Checks included verification of passports, nationality, and visa status where necessary. Despite the introduction of these temporary controls, flights and maritime services connecting Spain and Italy continue to operate normally.
Italy implemented its own temporary border checks on Aug. 1, following a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta from Morocco. The Italian authorities imposed controls on non-EU nationals arriving from Spain via air and sea, excluding Italian citizens, Spanish citizens, and other EU nationals from these restrictions. Italy informed European authorities that its measures would be in effect until Sept. 1 under the current schedule.
Ceuta arrivals led to border measures before Spain’s own controls
Approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the large influx from Morocco that began in late July. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reported on Aug. 4 that about 70,000 of these migrants had since left the territory. Ceuta, situated on the North African coast, is outside the Schengen Area. This episode preceded Italy’s introduction of temporary border checks and Spain’s subsequent decision to impose controls on arrivals from Italy.
Madrid had urged Rome to remove its restrictions before Spain announced its new border controls on Aug. 7. Spain criticized Italy’s measures as lacking justification and unfairly targeting the country. Italy maintained its own controls while Spain implemented its temporary system the following day. Each nation has set different expiration dates for their respective measures, although regular air and sea connections continue to operate between them.
Temporary border checks are permitted under Schengen regulations
The Schengen Area generally allows free movement across internal borders among member states without routine passport checks. However, its rules permit governments to reintroduce internal border controls when facing a serious threat to public policy or internal security. The European Commission states that such measures should be used only when necessary and for a limited period. While these temporary controls are active, Spain and Italy remain within the Schengen Area.
Travelers arriving in Spain from Italy should anticipate potential checks of identity and immigration documents at airports and seaports. On the first day of enforcement, Spain conducted inspections at six major airports. Meanwhile, Italy continues its targeted controls on arrivals from Spain based on its notified schedule. Spain intends to keep its controls in place through Sept. 7, with no overall suspension of passenger travel between the two nations.