Madrid Hits Back at Rome: Border Checks for Travelers from Italy
Spain introduced document checks for all air and sea traffic from Italy at midnight, escalating a diplomatic dispute between the two EU members over the migration crisis in Ceuta.
Spain introduced document checks for all air and sea traffic from Italy at midnight, escalating a diplomatic dispute between the two EU members over the migration crisis in Ceuta.
At exactly midnight on Saturday, August 8, 2026, Spain introduced border controls for all air and sea traffic arriving from Italy. This move is a direct response to similar measures imposed by Rome a week earlier, which Madrid deemed "unfounded." The dispute escalated following a mass influx of migrants from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in late July.
According to Spanish officials, documents of between 5 and 10 percent of passengers are checked before they are allowed to disembark. The Italian side also claims that its checks, which will last at least until August 15, are random and apply exclusively to nationals of non-EU countries. Spain's measures will remain in effect until September 7.
The crisis began when between 70,000 and 78,000 migrants entered Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on Morocco's coast, in late July. The Italian government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni then suspended the Schengen Agreement at its borders with Spain, fearing that migrants could continue their journey toward Italy. Madrid rejected that decision, arguing that migrants from Ceuta have no way to enter the Schengen area.
In a letter to the European Union, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez cited "the growing migratory pressure on the central Mediterranean route affecting Italy" as justification for his own measures, invoking potential consequences for "public order and internal security." Italy, for its part, rejected Spain's request to lift its controls by Sunday, stating that they would remain in place because Spain "expects a new migrant wave" on August 15.
EU Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Brunner attempted to ease tensions in a phone call with Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska and his Italian counterpart Matteo Piantedosi. "Trust among member states is our most precious resource," Brunner said, adding that both ministers confirmed the controls are temporary. A European Commission spokesperson stated that "Spanish and Moroccan authorities have effectively managed the return of migrants" and that "illegal movements toward mainland Spain and Europe have so far been successfully blocked."
Despite the diplomatic storm, the situation at airports has not yet caused major disruptions. According to El País, queues formed at Italian airports, but documents of passengers on 250 flights from Italy to Spain were checked smoothly, with a sample of 5 to 15 percent of passengers. Italy's foreign ministry has increased assistance to its consulates for citizens who might encounter problems.
While authorities argue, the human cost of the crisis is significant. The Moroccan Association for Human Rights reported 141 migrant deaths, and it is estimated that around 3,500 people are still hiding in neighborhoods and forests around Ceuta. According to Juan Vivas, the mayor-president of Ceuta, between 8,000 and 11,000 migrants remain in the city, including nearly 1,000 minors.
Adding to the concern are calls on social media for a new mass border crossing, planned for August 15. According to available information, six Facebook groups with more than 100,000 followers spread such messages, but Meta removed posts that violated its rules. Spanish intelligence assessed the threat as "credible," while the Commission spokesperson stressed that "it is crucial to focus efforts on preventing further illegal crossings and tragic, senseless deaths."
