MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – In response to recent regional security concerns and migration movements, Spain has temporarily implemented border checks for passengers arriving by air and sea from Italy. These measures began at midnight on Aug. 8 and are expected to remain in effect until Sept. 7. Authorities are now inspecting travel and immigration documents on routes that usually operate without routine internal border controls. This action follows Italy’s earlier decision to reintroduce checks for certain passengers arriving from Spain.
On the first day of these measures, Spain’s Interior Ministry reported inspecting 199 passengers traveling on 12 flights from Italy. The checks took place at major airports including Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. The process involves verifying passports, nationality, and visa status where applicable. Despite the temporary controls, flights and maritime services linking Spain and Italy continue operating as usual.
Italy imposed its own temporary border checks starting August 1, following a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta from Morocco. The Italian government applied these controls to non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air or sea. However, Italian and Spanish citizens, along with other EU nationals, were not subject to these restrictions. Italy informed European authorities that the controls would stay in place until September 1 according to its current schedule.
Border restrictions preceded arrivals in Ceuta
During the large migrant influx from Morocco that began in late July, approximately 72,000 individuals entered Ceuta. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska announced that by August 4, roughly 70,000 had already left the territory. Ceuta, situated on the North African coast and outside the Schengen Area, experienced these arrivals before Italy’s implementation of temporary border checks and Spain’s subsequent decision to restrict arrivals from Italy.
Madrid had urged Rome to remove its restrictions prior to Spain announcing its new border measures on August 7. Spain criticized the Italian restrictions, stating they lacked justification and unfairly targeted the country. Italy maintained its controls while Spain introduced its own temporary border checks the following day. Both nations have set different expiration dates for their measures, but regular air and sea connections between them remain operational.
Temporary checks are permissible under Schengen regulations
Within the Schengen Area, member countries usually allow free movement across internal borders without regular passport controls. However, the rules permit the reintroduction of internal checks when a serious threat to public policy or internal security is identified. The European Commission emphasizes that such measures should only be employed when strictly necessary and for a limited period. Despite these controls, Spain and Italy remain within the Schengen Area while their temporary border measures are enforced.
Travelers arriving in Spain from Italy should anticipate potential identity and immigration document checks at airports and seaports. On the initial day of implementation, Spain conducted inspections at six major airports. Meanwhile, Italy continues its targeted controls on arrivals from Spain as per its notified timetable. Spain aims to sustain its border checks until September 7, without imposing a complete halt on passenger movement between the two countries.