On Saturday, August 8, 2026, Spain initiated border checks on travelers arriving from Italy. This move was a response to Italy's earlier decision to impose border controls on travelers from Spain after a significant influx of migrants into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta.

Spain's left-wing government criticized Italy's hard-right government for imposing one month of border checks starting July 31, suspending the EU's Schengen Area visa-free travel arrangements due to the migrant surge. More than 70,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on July 30 and 31, though most returned to Morocco within 48 hours.

The situation has escalated into a tit-for-tat dispute between the two EU partners and NATO allies, with Spain citing "persistent irregular migration pressure" facing Italy as justification for its heightened controls.

An Italian tourist, Maria Celeste Grillo, who arrived in Madrid, commented, "I don't see a lot of the word 'diplomacy' used in these decisions, not by the Italian government, nor by the Spanish government." She noted she did not observe additional checks upon arrival but described the implementation as "sad."

The EU's migration chief, Magnus Brunner, stated he had been in contact with both Spanish and Italian interior ministers, who "both confirmed that the internal border controls are temporary."

Migrants, including minors, have been receiving aid from local NGOs such as Media Luna Blanca in Ceuta, where many have been sleeping amid recent mass crossings by foot and sea from Morocco.

Sources