Spain announced enhanced screening of air and sea travelers from Italy for one month in retaliation against Italy's suspension of the Schengen agreement for travelers from Spain following the outbreak of the Ceuta migrant crisis.
On 8 August 2026, Aljazeera reported that Spain implemented border control measures for travelers from Italy by air and sea for one month starting at midnight local time, amid escalating tensions between the two European Union member states triggered by the migrant crisis in the city of Ceuta.
Spain's measures came one week after Italy imposed similar controls on travelers from Spain, following the arrival of about 78,000 migrants from Morocco into Ceuta, Spain's autonomous city in North Africa, last week. Although most migrants were returned to Morocco within days, Italy justified suspending the Schengen agreement to prevent migrants entering Ceuta from traveling onwards to Italy.
The Spanish government called on Italy to lift its border controls, but Italy insisted it would maintain them at least until 15 August, anticipating a possible new wave of migrants in Ceuta. This dispute has pitted Spain's socialist government under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez against Italy's right-wing government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which has consistently pushed for tougher EU migration controls.
Temporary suspension of Schengen agreements is not unprecedented; Italy continues to enforce border controls along its border with Slovenia. Italy's decision has received support from Finland and Denmark, while the Czech Republic has called for a temporary suspension of Spain's Schengen membership as well.
.source Aljazeera