MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – The Spanish government has begun implementing short-term border inspections for individuals arriving from Italy by air and sea. These measures started at midnight on Aug. 8 and are set to remain in effect until Sept. 7. Authorities now scrutinize travel and immigration documents along routes that normally operate without routine internal border controls. This decision follows Italy’s earlier move to reintroduce checks on certain passengers arriving from Spain.
According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, 199 passengers traveling on 12 flights from Italy were subject to checks on the first day. The controls took place at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. The process involved verifying passports, nationality, and visa status where applicable. Flights and maritime services between Spain and Italy continue to operate normally despite the temporary border checks.
Italy introduced its own temporary border controls starting August 1, in response to a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta from Morocco. These checks targeted non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air or sea. Italian authorities did not include Italian citizens, Spanish citizens, or other EU nationals in these restrictions. Italy notified European authorities that its measures would last through Sept. 1 under the current schedule.
Ceuta arrivals came before border measures
Approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the large wave from Morocco that began in late July. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated that, as of Aug. 4, about 70,000 of those migrants had left the territory. Ceuta, located on the North African coast and outside the Schengen Area, was the site of this influx, which preceded Italy’s temporary checks and Spain’s decision to impose controls on arrivals from Italy.
Madrid had urged Rome to lift its restrictions prior to Spain announcing its new border controls on Aug. 7. Spain argued that Italy’s measures 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 respective measures, yet regular air and sea links between them continue without interruption.
Temporary controls are permitted under Schengen rules
The Schengen Area generally allows for free movement across internal borders without routine passport checks among member countries. However, its regulations permit governments to reintroduce internal border controls if there is a significant threat to public policy or internal security. The European Commission advises that such measures should be used only when necessary and for a limited period. Spain and Italy remain within the Schengen framework during their temporary border controls.
Travelers arriving in Spain from Italy should anticipate potential identity and immigration document checks at airports and seaports. On the initial day of enforcement, inspections were conducted at six major airports. Italy continues its separate procedures for targeted arrivals from Spain, according to its notified timetable. Spain plans to maintain its border checks until Sept. 7, with no overall suspension of passenger travel between the two countries.