MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Spain has initiated provisional border inspections for individuals arriving from Italy by air and sea. The measures commenced at midnight on Aug. 8 and are set to remain in effect until Sept. 7. Authorities are now verifying travel and immigration documents on routes that typically operate without routine internal border controls. This action follows Italy’s earlier decision to reintroduce checks on select passengers arriving from Spain.
During the first day, Spain’s Interior Ministry reported inspecting 199 passengers on 12 flights originating from Italy. The checks took place at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. The process included verification of passports, nationality, and visa status where applicable. Flights and maritime routes connecting Spain and Italy continue operating while the temporary controls are in place.
Italy introduced its own temporary border controls on Aug. 1, following a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta from Morocco. Rome’s measures target non-EU nationals arriving from Spain via air or sea, excluding Italian, Spanish, and other EU citizens from the restrictions. Italy has informed European authorities that these controls will be maintained through Sept. 1, according to the current schedule.
Ceuta arrivals preceded border measures
Approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta during the large surge from Morocco that began in late July. Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska stated that by Aug. 4, roughly 70,000 had left the territory. Ceuta, situated on the North African coast and outside the Schengen Area, experienced this influx prior to Italy’s implementation of temporary controls and Spain’s subsequent decision to regulate arrivals from Italy.
Madrid had urged Rome to lift its restrictions before Spain announced its own border checks on Aug. 7. Spain criticized Italy’s measures, describing them as lacking justification and unfairly targeted. Italy maintained its controls while Spain introduced its own provisional system the following day. Both countries have set different expiry dates for their respective measures, and regular air and sea connections between Spain and Italy continue unaffected.
Schengen rules permit temporary border controls
Typically, the Schengen Area allows free movement across internal borders without routine passport checks among member states. However, its rules permit governments to re-establish internal controls if they identify a serious threat to public order or internal security. The European Commission emphasizes that such measures should be used only when necessary and for a limited duration. Spain and Italy continue to be part of the Schengen Area while their temporary border controls are active.
Travelers arriving in Spain from Italy should anticipate possible checks of identity and immigration documents at airports and seaports. On the first day of enforcement, Spain conducted inspections at six major airports. Italy persists with its separate controls on specific arrivals from Spain under its notified timetable. Spain intends to uphold its border checks through Sept. 7, with no overall suspension of passenger movement between the two nations.