MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – Temporary border inspections have been introduced by Spain for travelers arriving from Italy via air and sea routes. Starting at midnight on Aug. 8, these measures are expected to last until Sept. 7. Authorities are now verifying travel and immigration documents on routes that usually operate without routine internal border checks. This step follows Italy’s earlier decision to re-establish controls on specific passengers arriving from Spain.
During the first day of enforcement, Spain’s Interior Ministry reported that 199 passengers traveling on 12 flights from Italy underwent checks. The controls were conducted at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. The process involved verifying passports, nationality, and visa status where relevant. Despite the temporary controls, flights and maritime services between Spain and Italy continue to operate normally.
Italy implemented its own temporary border controls on Aug. 1, following a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta from Morocco. The Italian authorities applied these checks to non-EU nationals arriving by air or sea from Spain. Citizens of Italy, Spain, and other EU countries were not subject to these restrictions. Italy announced that its controls would remain in place through Sept. 1, according to the current schedule.
Ceuta arrivals came ahead of border control 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, around 70,000 of those migrants had left the territory. Ceuta, situated on the North African coast, is outside the Schengen Area. The migration event predated Italy’s introduction of temporary checks and Spain’s subsequent decision to impose controls on arrivals from Italy.
Madrid had called on Rome to lift its restrictions before Spain announced its new controls on Aug. 7. Spain criticized Italy’s measures as unjustified and unfairly targeting the country. While Italy maintained its controls, Spain introduced its own temporary border checks the next day. Each country has set different expiry dates for their respective measures, yet regular air and sea connections between them continue uninterrupted.
Temporary border controls are permitted under Schengen regulations
Although the Schengen Area typically allows free movement across internal borders without routine passport controls, its rules permit governments to reinstate internal checks when facing serious threats to public policy or internal security. The European Commission recommends that such measures be used only when necessary and for a limited duration. Spain and Italy remain part of the Schengen Area while their temporary border controls are active.
Travelers arriving in Spain from Italy should anticipate possible identity and immigration document checks at airports and seaports. Spain conducted the initial inspections across six major airports on the first day of enforcement. Meanwhile, Italy continues its targeted controls on arrivals from Spain as per its notified timetable. Spain intends to uphold its checks until Sept. 7, with no overarching suspension of passenger travel between the two countries.