Spain to introduce temporary border checks on visitors from Italy

Spain announced it will introduce temporary border checks on visitors arriving from Italy, a move set to begin at midnight on Saturday and continue until September 7. The Spanish interior ministry stated the checks are a response to "persistent irregular migration pressure" facing Italy.

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amid the persistent irregular migration pressure

This decision follows Italy's imposition of similar border controls on individuals arriving from Spain. Italy's measures were enacted after a significant number of people crossed from Morocco into Spain's North African territory of Ceuta on July 30-31. The Spanish government condemned Italy's action, calling it "unfair, contrary to the EU's interests and discriminatory for the Spanish population."

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unfair, contrary to the EU’s interests and discriminatory for the Spanish population

Foreign minister José Manuel Albares described Italy's move as "a torpedo fired at the hull of European unity." He urged the Italian government to rectify its decision and treat Spaniards like other European citizens, threatening "proportional measures" by Sunday if the checks were not lifted. However, the government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated it had "no intention of revising the decision" before August 15, citing concerns about security and potential new migration waves.

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a torpedo fired at the hull of European unity

Italy, which does not share a land border with Spain, implemented border controls at maritime and air entry points for third-country nationals arriving from Spain. Meloni had previously called for Spain's suspension from the visa-free Schengen travel zone after the Ceuta incident. Spanish police have been monitoring online rumors about potential new arrivals in Ceuta, though authorities have not explicitly stated expectations of a repeat of the earlier influx.

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We urge the government of Italy to rectify, put an end to the checks and treat Spaniards like other European citizens.