Politics · Spain · 3 hrs ago
Italy and Spain agree to coordinate end of Schengen border controls
Italy will extend temporary controls on travel links with Spain by seven days as the two governments coordinate a way to end them.
Rome introduced the restrictions in early August, and they have been a source of tension between the countries for more than two months.
The short extension is intended to align the controls’ end with the timing of Spain’s measures, according to the Italian government.
Over the coming week, the countries’ interior ministers will consider other ways to cooperate on security without keeping the current restrictions.
The plan marks a shift from unilateral decisions towards a coordinated approach between Rome and Madrid.
The move comes as the governments continue to disagree over migration, including at a European Council meeting.
The next step is for the ministers to assess alternatives to the controls; the countries have not yet specified what those measures will be.
Italy has decided to extend temporary controls on connections with Spain for seven days while the two governments coordinate their withdrawal.
The move follows more than two months of tension after Italy introduced the restrictions in early August.
The countries’ interior ministers are to assess alternative cooperation measures that address security concerns without restricting free movement.
The announcement came as disagreements over migration policy continued between Rome and Madrid.
- Who
- The governments of Italy and Spain agreed to coordinate the end of temporary border controls.
- What
- Italy will extend the controls for seven days while the countries work on their withdrawal and consider alternative cooperation measures.
- When
- The decision was reported on October 16, 2026. The extension is for seven days.
- Where
- On connections between Italy and Spain.
- Why
- To coordinate the end of the controls and assess alternative security cooperation measures.
Italy and Spain’s governments
Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Coordination and trust
Italy and Spain’s governments
The governments are working together to align the withdrawal of controls and explore other cooperation measures.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Feijóo said Italy imposed the controls because it did not trust Spain’s government.
Spanish security policy
Italy and Spain’s governments
The governments’ stated aim is to address security concerns through cooperation without maintaining limits on free movement.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo
Feijóo said Spain was not reliable on security, border protection or immigration.
Rome introduced temporary controls on connections with Spain.
Alberto Núñez Feijóo said Italy had imposed the controls because it distrusted Pedro Sánchez’s government.
Italy decided to extend the controls for seven days to coordinate their withdrawal with Spain.
The two countries’ interior ministers are to assess alternative cooperation measures.
- Extension
- Seven days
- Controls introduced
- Early August 2026
- Italian prime minister
- Giorgia Meloni
- Spanish prime minister
- Pedro Sánchez
- Planned discussions
- Interior ministers of Italy and Spain are to assess alternative cooperation measures.
3 sources
What people are saying
Spain is a country that is not reliable on security policy, border defense, or immigration policy.
We do not want to give Sánchez arguments for his election campaign.