Madrid, Aug 2026 : Spain has begun document checks on passengers arriving from Italy as part of temporary border-control measures introduced amid a growing dispute between Madrid and Rome over migration management and internal border controls within the European Union.
The measures, which will remain in force until September 7, involve random identity and document checks at Spanish airports and ports, local media reported.
According to El Pais, around 100 officers from Spain’s National Police Corps have been deployed to conduct the checks. Each arriving flight is being monitored by between two and four officers, who randomly verify the documents of around 5 to 10 per cent of passengers.
The checks translate into roughly 15 passengers being screened on medium-sized aircraft and around 25 on larger planes.
Operations began shortly after midnight at Madrid-Barajas and Barcelona-El Prat airports before being expanded to major airports in Seville, Malaga, Bilbao, Alicante and Valencia. The measures are also expected to extend to airports in Spain’s Balearic and Canary Islands.
Italian airports particularly affected by the reciprocal checks include Rome’s Fiumicino and Ciampino airports, as well as Malpensa, Naples, Venice and Florence, according to Italian news agency Adnkronos.
The move follows Italy’s decision to reinstate temporary border controls on travellers arriving from Spain. Madrid has strongly criticised the Italian measure, saying Rome introduced the controls unilaterally on August 1 without prior notification.
The Spanish government described Italy’s decision as “unjustified, discriminatory and contrary to the interests of the European Union” and called on Rome to withdraw the measures immediately.
Italy, however, has defended its position on national security and border management grounds. The Italian government said on Friday that temporary checks on third-country nationals arriving from Spain would continue until at least August 15.
Rome also rejected pressure from Madrid, stating that it “does not accept ultimatums or external pressure” regarding national security and border management.
Italian authorities clarified that the measures do not apply to Spanish or other EU citizens travelling by air or sea. They also said efforts would be made to minimise disruption to legitimate travel between the two countries.
The dispute stems from a major migration surge in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the temporary controls on July 31 following the arrival of around 80,000 people in the Spanish territory.
Nearly 75,000 of those who entered Ceuta subsequently returned voluntarily. However, between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants were still believed to be in the enclave, according to Ceuta President Juan Jesus Vivas, who said the influx had placed severe pressure on reception facilities and created a humanitarian emergency.
The situation has intensified concerns among EU member states about migration management and the potential onward movement of migrants within the Schengen area.
Spain’s decision to introduce reciprocal checks highlights the growing tensions over how countries should respond to sudden migration pressures while preserving the principle of free movement across Europe.
The latest measures remain temporary, but their continuation could add further pressure on Madrid and Rome to find a diplomatic solution to their differences over border controls and migration management.
