Archive · 10 Aug 2026
Spain Begins Border Checks on Italy in Migrant Row
Spain and Italy are neighbours in Europe, and people can normally travel between them without showing a passport.
This is possible because of an agreement called the Schengen Area.
Recently, a very large number of people moved into Ceuta, a Spanish city located in Africa.
Almost all of them went back to Morocco within two days.
Italy was worried about this and decided to check travellers coming from Spain.
Spain thought that was unfair, so it started checking travellers coming from Italy too.
European leaders are helping the two countries talk to each other about the problem.
Both countries say the checks are temporary and will not last forever.
Spain's checks are supposed to end by September 7.
Spain began border checks on travellers arriving from Italy on Saturday, mirroring Italy's earlier measure.
Italy imposed one month of border checks on travellers from Spain on July 31, suspending Schengen visa-free travel.
Spain cited 'persistent irregular migration pressure' facing Italy as the reason for its heightened controls.
More than 70,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Spain's enclave of Ceuta on July 30-31; almost all returned within 48 hours.
EU migration chief Magnus Brunner confirmed both countries said the internal border controls are temporary, with Spain's checks running until September 7.
- Who
- Spain's left-wing government, Italy's hard-right government, and EU migration chief Magnus Brunner
- What
- Spain began border checks on travellers arriving from Italy in a tit-for-tat response to Italy's checks on travellers from Spain after a migrant influx into Ceuta
- When
- Stated on Saturday after Friday's announcement; Spain's checks apply until September 7, following Italy's July 31 measure
- Where
- Spain, Italy, and the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta
- Why
- A dispute over irregular migration after more than 70,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on July 30-31
Italy's Stance
Spain's Stance
Border checks justification
Italy's Stance
Italy imposed a month of border checks on travellers from Spain because of the massive migrant influx into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
Spain's Stance
Spain called Italy's checks unfair and imposed mirror controls, citing 'persistent irregular migration pressure' facing Italy.
Migration policy response
Italy's Stance
Right-wing governments, including Italy's, urged tougher rules on irregular migrants after the Ceuta inflow.
Spain's Stance
Spain's left-wing government complained about the retaliatory measures and noted Ceuta migrants cannot travel onward without another layer of border checks.
- Event
- Spain begins border checks on travellers from Italy
- Counters
- Italy's one-month border checks on travellers from Spain, imposed July 31
- Migrants crossing into Ceuta
- More than 70,000 on July 30-31; almost all returned to Morocco within 48 hours
- Spain's justification
- Persistent irregular migration pressure facing Italy
- Duration of Spain's checks
- Until September 7
- EU involvement
- Migration chief Magnus Brunner in contact with both interior ministers; controls confirmed as temporary
- Affected agreement
- EU Schengen Area visa-free travel arrangements
- Note
- Ceuta migrants cannot travel onward to continental Europe without another layer of border checks