Spain has announced temporary border controls on all air and sea arrivals from Italy amid a growing dispute between the two countries over migration and border restrictions involving the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa.
The measures will take effect from midnight on Saturday, August 8, and remain in place until September 7, according to the Spanish government.
Under the new restrictions, passengers arriving in Spain from Italy will face enhanced checks. Authorities will verify passports, nationality, visas and other required travel documents for Italian citizens as well as passengers and visitors from other countries.
The Spanish government said the decision was taken in response to Italy’s recent introduction of border controls affecting travelers arriving from Spain.
The dispute comes after a major surge in migration toward Ceuta on July 30. Spanish authorities said around 72,000 migrants attempted to enter the African enclave from Morocco. Most of those who crossed into Ceuta were subsequently returned to Morocco.
The migration situation around Ceuta has since triggered renewed tensions between Spain and Italy over border controls. Italy initially imposed restrictions on travelers arriving from Spain, prompting Madrid to announce similar measures for passengers coming from Italy.
The reciprocal measures have raised concerns over a broader deterioration in border arrangements between the two European countries, with both governments tightening checks in response to the ongoing migration-related tensions.
