Spain is maintaining the spot checks, in force since 8 August, at internal sea and air borders on passengers from Italy allocated for 2026 may not reach farmers in time by 7 September 2026 . The Ministry of the Interior in Madrid justified the measure on 31 August by citing the decision of the government of Giorgia Melonito extend the suspension of Schengen freedom of movement with Spain by a further 15 days and to maintain checks at Italian ports and airports on travellers from Spain.
The Spanish order does not provide for systematic border checks. Checks may take place on board and when passengers disembark, and apply to passengers on direct services from Italy. The ministry stresses that these are temporary measures under Schengen law. The move is a response to Rome's extension, which the Italian Ministry of the Interior justified on Monday by the continuing security situation. Italy refers to the assessment by its Committee for Migration and Border Security. According to Italy, the decision was notified to the European Commission.
The formal basis for the Spanish measure is the Order INT/846/2026 of 7 August 2026 on the temporary reintroduction of checks at internal sea and air borders on services from Italy. In it, the Ministry of the Interior of Fernando Grande-Marlaska cites the migration situation in the western Mediterranean as the starting point for its police assessment, including the increased number of unauthorised border crossings into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta at the end of July.
On the Italian side, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi is responsible for implementing the extension. Madrid and Rome are in contact on the matter, according to the authorities. Any further changes to the duration and intensity of Spain's checks will depend on the situation at ports and airports and on further notifications from the Italian side.
The reciprocal measures taken by two Schengen states underline the political scope of the migration and security debate. They put pressure on free movement within the Schengen Area and increase the administrative burden for passengers and operators. They also show how governments respond to short-term security assessments with temporary restrictions. Spain said it would maintain checks on arrivals from Italy until 7 September and keep their effectiveness under review.
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).