Spain announced it will impose border controls on all air and sea travel from Italy starting at midnight (22:00 GMT) on Friday, August 7th, 2026, lasting for one month. This move follows Italy's introduction of similar border restrictions a week earlier, after about 78,000 migrants from Morocco entered the Spanish exclave of Ceuta.

Spain demanded Italy reverse its border checks by Sunday, August 9th, but Italy's government stated the controls would remain at least until August 15th, citing expectations of a new wave of migration to Ceuta. Italy justified suspending the border-free Schengen arrangement temporarily to prevent migrants who entered Ceuta from traveling onward to Italy.

Madrid rejected Italy's rationale, calling it "spurious arguments" without factual basis, emphasizing that migrants entering Ceuta had no means to access the Schengen area. In response to Spain's demands, Italy's government declared it would not accept "ultimatums."

Spanish counter-measures include passport, nationality, and visa checks for Italian passengers and visitors arriving from Italy, citing the "persistent irregular migratory pressure" Spain is experiencing. Reports from El Pais indicate that several airport terminals have seen long queues and waiting times recently, with passengers from Spain directed to specific lines for checks.

The dispute has heightened tensions between Spain's socialist leader Pedro Sanchez and Italy's conservative leader Giorgia Meloni, who has advocated for stricter EU migration policies.

Sources