Spain will impose temporary border controls at ports and airports for travelers arriving from Italy starting midnight Saturday, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior announced on Friday evening, August 7. The measures respond to similar actions taken by Rome after a massive influx of migrants in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Authorities stated that the checks are being established due to persistent irregular migration pressure facing Italy, and they will remain in place until September 7.
Hours earlier, Spain threatened retaliatory action if Rome did not quickly lift its suspension of the Schengen free movement agreement. Italy had suspended the agreement following the migrant influx in Ceuta, closing maritime and air entry points while strengthening land border controls. The Spanish government urged Italian officials to reverse their decision, end border checks, and treat Spanish citizens like other European Union residents.
Border Dispute and Migration Influx
Spanish officials denounced the Italian measures as unfair, contrary to the interests of the European Union, and discriminatory against the Spanish population. Italy did not change its position despite the request from Madrid.
The dispute between the two European Union and NATO allies follows the arrival of 72,000 migrants who crossed the border from Morocco into the Spanish territory of Ceuta last week. The unprecedented movement drew strong criticism from European Union countries favoring strict border enforcement, including far-right Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
