MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Spain has initiated temporary border controls for individuals arriving from Italy by air and sea. The new measures started at midnight on Aug. 8 and will remain in effect until Sept. 7. Authorities are verifying passports, nationality, and visa status where necessary. These controls target Italian travelers and other passengers entering Spain from Italy. This step follows Italy’s earlier enforcement of temporary checks on certain arrivals from Spain.
According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, officers checked 199 passengers on 12 flights from Italy during the first day of the new measures. The inspections occurred at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. Travelers on these routes may undergo document checks before completing their arrival procedures. These controls do not close the border entirely. Air and sea links between Spain and Italy continue normally while the temporary measures stay in place.
Italy reintroduced checks on Aug. 1 after a significant influx of migrants entered Ceuta from Morocco in late July. Italian authorities applied their controls to non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air and sea. Spanish, Italian, and other EU citizens were not included in those specific checks. Italy informed European authorities that its measures would last until Sept. 1. Spain later introduced its own controls after calling for Italy to withdraw its restrictions.
Ceuta influx preceded bilateral controls
Around 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the large movement from Morocco that started in late July. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated on Aug. 4 that about 70,000 had already left the territory. Ceuta is on the North African coast and remains outside the Schengen Area. The migration occurred before Italy reinstated controls on certain travelers from Spain. Spain then announced it would conduct checks on passengers arriving from Italy through its airports and seaports.
Madrid announced the new Spanish measures on Aug. 7 after objecting to Italy’s restrictions. Spain argued Italy’s controls lacked justification and were discriminatory. Italy maintained its measures, and Spain began its inspections the next day. The two countries set different end dates for their controls. Italy’s controls last through Sept. 1, while Spain’s will continue until Sept. 7.
Temporary checks are permitted within Schengen rules
Normally, the Schengen Area allows travelers to cross borders within participating countries without routine passport checks. Its rules enable 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 be used only when necessary and for limited durations. Spain and Italy are members of the Schengen Area. Their current measures add temporary screening but do not suspend regular travel between the two nations.
Travelers from Italy to Spain should expect potential identity and immigration checks at Spanish airports and seaports during the control period. Spain reported its first day of inspections across six major airports, involving nearly 200 travelers. Italy continues separate checks on targeted non-EU arrivals from Spain under its notified schedule. Both countries’ measures are temporary within the Schengen framework. Spain’s current schedule extends its checks through Sept. 7.