Madrid, Aug 2026 : Spain has announced the temporary reinstatement of internal border checks for travellers arriving from Italy, in response to Rome’s decision to maintain controls on people arriving from Spain amid tensions triggered by a recent migration surge in the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta.
The temporary measures at Spanish ports and airports will come into effect from Saturday and remain in place until September 7, unless circumstances change, the Spanish government said in a statement issued on Friday.
The checks will involve random verification of travellers’ identities and documents and are intended to address concerns arising from Italy’s decision to retain its own temporary controls.
Madrid said Italy had unilaterally reinstated border checks on travellers arriving from Spain on August 1 without prior notification. The Spanish government described Rome’s action as “unjustified, discriminatory and contrary to the interests of the European Union” and called for the measures to be withdrawn immediately.
The dispute comes as European countries face renewed challenges over migration management and the movement of migrants within the Schengen area, where internal border controls are generally limited.
Earlier on Friday, the Italian government announced that it would continue temporary checks on third-country nationals arriving from Spain until at least August 15. Rome cited national security and border-management concerns for maintaining the measures.
The Italian government also rejected Spain’s demand for the immediate removal of the controls, saying it “does not accept ultimatums or external pressure” on issues concerning national security and border management.
At the same time, Italy clarified that the temporary controls would not apply to Spanish or other European Union citizens travelling by air or sea. Italian border authorities, it said, would seek to minimise disruption to legitimate cross-border travel.
The Italian measures were announced by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on July 31 after a major influx of migrants into Ceuta. Around 80,000 people entered the Spanish enclave at the end of July, according to Spanish authorities, with nearly 75,000 subsequently returning voluntarily.
Despite the large number of returns, several thousand migrants remain in Ceuta. Ceuta President Juan Jesus Vivas said on Thursday that between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants were still in the enclave, placing considerable pressure on local reception and accommodation facilities.
The continuing presence of migrants has created what local authorities describe as a serious humanitarian emergency, with concerns over shelter, food, healthcare and other basic services.
The developments have also exposed differences among European Union members over how migration should be managed and how temporary national border controls should be used during periods of heightened pressure.
Spain’s decision to introduce reciprocal checks reflects growing frustration over Italy’s approach, while Rome maintains that its measures are necessary to protect national security and manage the movement of third-country nationals.
The latest dispute could further complicate efforts within the EU to maintain the free movement of people under the Schengen framework while allowing member states to respond to sudden migration emergencies.
With Spain’s measures scheduled to remain in force until September 7 and Italy’s controls currently extended until at least August 15, both governments face pressure to resolve their differences while preventing further disruption to legitimate travel across European borders.
(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)
