Spain Reinstates Border Controls With Italy, Demands Passports

Spain has reimposed temporary border controls with Italy, demanding passports from travelers arriving from Italy at airports and ports. This heightened surveillance, including checks even on the tarmac, began Saturday and will continue until September 7, unless circumstances change.

The decision stems from Italy's refusal to lift its own border controls, which were established on August 1 in response to a large influx of people into Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta. The Spanish government aims to control identity and nationality, and verify residency permits for non-EU nationals.

While the measures are in effect, random checks have not yet significantly disrupted air and sea travel, even to popular tourist destinations like the Balearic and Canary Islands, which attract many Italian visitors. Passengers arriving in Barcelona from Italian cities reported undergoing documentation checks after landing, though these were resolved without major issues.