MADRID, SPAIN / RankWire.AI / – On the first day of implementation, Spain’s Interior Ministry conducted passport and document checks on 199 individuals arriving from Italy via air and sea. The inspections took place at airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, and Valencia. These procedures include verification of passports, nationality, and visa status for Italian passengers and other travelers arriving from Italy. While these temporary controls are in effect, air and sea routes between Spain and Italy continue to operate normally.
Italy began its border checks on Aug. 1 following a significant influx of migrants into Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave. Italian authorities have stated their measures will remain in place at least until Aug. 15. The targeted controls apply to non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air or sea, whereas Italian and other EU citizens are exempt from these restrictions, as outlined by the Italian government.
Ceuta migration surge precedes new controls
During the mass migration event that started in late July from Morocco, approximately 72,000 migrants entered Ceuta. By Aug. 4, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska reported that roughly 70,000 of those migrants had left the enclave. Ceuta, situated on the North African coast, is outside the Schengen Zone. This migration wave occurred before Italy’s decision to reintroduce border checks on certain travelers from Spain, which led to Spain implementing reciprocal controls.
Spain called on Italy to lift its restrictions prior to announcing its own border checks on Friday. Madrid criticized Italy’s measures as unjustified and discriminatory against Spain, while Italy confirmed it would continue its controls. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expressed hope that Rome could lift the restrictions once the perceived risk diminishes. Spain has scheduled its border controls for end on Sept. 7, with the measures remaining in place until then.
Temporary border controls align with Schengen regulations
The Schengen Area generally permits free movement across internal borders among 29 European nations, with no routine passport checks. However, EU regulations allow member states to re-establish internal border controls if a serious threat to public policy or internal security is identified. The European Commission states that such measures are a last resort and should be limited to what is strictly necessary. Both Spain and Italy remain part of the Schengen Zone during the period of these temporary controls.
For travelers, this means that those arriving from Italy may now face identity and immigration document checks at Spanish airports and seaports. Spain’s Interior Ministry reported that initial checks took place at six major airports, involving nearly 200 passengers on the first day. Meanwhile, Italy continues its targeted controls on arrivals from Spain until at least Aug. 15 under its current schedule. Spain’s border checks are set to continue through Sept. 7, with no suspension of general air or sea travel between the two countries during this period.