Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Spain Checks Italy Arrivals After Migrant Dispute Over Ceuta
Spain and Italy are two countries in Europe that are having a disagreement.
Many people suddenly crossed into Ceuta, a Spanish city in Africa.
Italy got worried and started extra checks on some travellers coming from Spain.
Spain thought Italy was being unfair.
So Spain started extra checks on travellers coming from Italy at airports and ports.
Around one hundred police officers are doing the checks.
Officers randomly check a small number of travellers on each flight.
Spain says its checks will last until September 7.
Both countries say they want to solve the disagreement while keeping borders safe.
Spain checked around 200 travellers (199 on 12 flights) arriving from Italy on the first day of border controls at its six largest airports.
Italy suspended the EU's border-free Schengen arrangements with Spain on August 1 and will keep controls until at least August 15.
Italy's checks target only non-EU nationals arriving from Spain by air or sea, not Spanish or other EU citizens.
Spain calls Italy's measures "unjustified, discriminatory and contrary to the interests of the European Union" and demands their withdrawal.
A mass migrant influx into Ceuta of 72,000 to 80,000 people left 3,000-5,000 migrants in the enclave, creating a severe humanitarian emergency.
- Who
- Spain's government (checks carried out by its Interior Ministry and the National Police Corps) and Italy's government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni; Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani and Ceuta President Juan Jesus Vivas also feature.
- What
- Spain reintroduced random document checks on passengers arriving from Italy, responding to Italy's temporary border controls on non-EU nationals arriving from Spain and its suspension of Schengen free movement.
- When
- Spain's checks began after midnight on August 9 and remain in force until September 7; Italy's checks were announced July 31, took effect August 1, and run until at least August 15.
- Where
- Spain's main airports (Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante and Valencia), due to extend to the Balearic and Canary Islands; flights come from Italian airports including Fiumicino, Ciampino, Malpensa, Naples, Venice and Florence. The dispute centers on the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa.
- Why
- A mass influx of migrants into Ceuta in late July prompted Italy to impose border controls on arrivals from Spain, which Spain considers unjustified, discriminatory and contrary to EU interests.
Spain's position
Italy's position
Justification for border checks
Spain's position
Italy's August 1 checks were unilateral, unjustified, discriminatory and contrary to EU interests; Spain demands their immediate withdrawal.
Italy's position
The controls are justified by national security and border-management concerns, and Rome does not accept ultimatums or external pressure.
Scope of the controls
Spain's position
The measures disrupt cross-border travel and were reintroduced without prior notification to Spain.
Italy's position
The controls apply only to third-country nationals, not Spanish or other EU citizens, and Italian authorities will minimise disruption to legitimate travel.
Handling of the Ceuta influx
Spain's position
The influx overwhelmed Ceuta's reception facilities, leaving 3,000-5,000 migrants and creating a severe humanitarian emergency.
Italy's position
The influx raised the risk of migrants moving onward within the Schengen area, requiring temporary protective border measures.
- Spain's checks valid until
- September 7
- Travellers checked on first day
- 199 people on 12 flights
- Officers deployed
- About 100 National Police Corps officers
- Share of travellers checked
- Random 5-10 percent per flight
- Spanish airports affected
- Madrid-Barajas, Barcelona-El Prat, Seville, Bilbao, Alicante, Valencia (plus Balearic and Canary Islands next)
- Italian airports involved
- Fiumicino, Ciampino, Malpensa, Naples, Venice, Florence
- Italy's controls
- In force since August 1, until at least August 15; targets non-EU nationals only
- Migrants entering Ceuta
- Reported as 72,000 (Reuters) or about 80,000 (Xinhua); 75,000 returned; 3,000-5,000 remain
