Italy and Spain are preparing to withdraw reciprocal temporary border checks affecting passengers on air and sea routes between the two countries. Rome has extended its controls on arrivals from Spain by seven days, aligning them with Madrid’s measures and creating time for both governments to coordinate their removal. The checks remain in force, so normal Schengen processing has not yet resumed.
The controls were introduced after a migration crisis in Spain’s North African enclave of Ceuta at the end of July. Italy imposed checks on passengers arriving from Spain, while Spain responded with reciprocal controls on arrivals from Italy. With no land border between the countries, the measures apply to airports and ports and have disrupted routine passenger processing on affected routes.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez discussed the dispute on the sidelines of the EU summit in Brussels. Interior ministers Matteo Piantedosi and Fernando Grande-Marlaska are expected to develop alternative police and security cooperation arrangements before the checks are lifted.
Spain’s current measures are scheduled to remain in place until 22 October. Reports differ on whether Italy’s extension expires on 22 or 23 October, but the immediate operational position is unchanged: passengers may still face border checks until Rome and Madrid complete their coordination.