Spain Imposes Border Checks on Italian Travelers Amid Ceuta Migrant Row
Spain introduced temporary border checks on Italian travelers following Italy's imposition of similar controls. The move came after over 70,000 migrants crossed into Spain's Ceuta enclave from Morocco, most of whom later returned. The checks, effective from midnight on August 8, 2026, will last until September 7.
Sources
Spain on Saturday introduced temporary border checks on travellers arriving from Italy, escalating a dispute between the EU partners over migration. The move follows Italy’s decision to impose similar controls after more than 70,000 migrants crossed into Spain’s Ceuta enclave from Morocco, most of whom later returned.
Italians arriving at Barcelona airport were subject to random police checks after the controls were put into effect overnight, according to Spain's state news agency EFE.
Following Italy’s rejection of its ultimatum to lift the border checks imposed in response to the Ceuta migration crisis, Spain has in turn announced that it will carry out checks on travellers from Italy. From midnight on Saturday, travellers from Italy would initially be subject to random checks at ports and airports until September 7, Spanish state broadcaster RTVE reported, citing a decree issued by the Madrid government. The checks are intended to verify the identity and nationality of...