Spain and Italy lifted their temporarily reintroduced border checks on 22 October 2026 in the Schengen Area for air and sea routes between the two countries. According to the governments in Madrid and Rome the decision took effect on the same day. The two sides also agreed to strengthen cross-border information-sharing between their security authorities.
Both countries had introduced the checks as a temporary measure under the Schengen Borders Code and extended them several times. Spain most recently announced their continuation in Boletín Oficial del Estado ; Orden INT/1033/2026 set out the procedural framework and deadlines. Italy introduced reciprocal measures for passengers from Spain. With this latest step, both countries return to regular travel without systematic checks on people at internal borders.
The decision is officially justified by an updated security assessment conducted by both interior ministries and agreed at political level. In recent months, Spain and Italy have repeatedly pointed to migration and security challenges at the European Union’s external borders. According to both governments, lifting the checks does not affect cooperation in these areas; they continue to rely on targeted police cooperation, data exchange and joint situational analyses.
Legally, temporary border checks may still be reintroduced in accordance with the internal market rules, provided the conditions of the Schengen Borders Code are met. Member States must notify and justify such steps to the European Commission, the Council and the European Parliament. The Commission records the introduction and extension of temporary checks, as well as their expiry.
Politically, the decision by both countries to lift the checks signals that the governments in Madrid and Rome view restrictions on freedom of movement as an instrument to be used only for a strictly limited period. Passengers flying or travelling by ferry between Spain and Italy will no longer be subject to systematic checks at internal borders; routine identity checks by airlines or ferry operators are unaffected.
The decision forms part of ongoing European debates about balancing free movement of people with security. It shows that bilateral coordination can facilitate a return to the Schengen Area’s normal arrangements even in tense situations, without weakening operational cooperation between security authorities.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).