Spain announced on Friday that it would temporarily impose border checks on travellers arriving from Italy, responding to Rome’s introduction of similar controls following a mass migrant crossing into Ceuta. The Spanish Interior Ministry said the measures would begin at midnight on Saturday and remain in effect until September 7.

Italy suspended visa-free Schengen travel arrangements for certain arrivals from Spain for one month after tens of thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish North African territory on July 30 and 31. Italy introduced checks at its maritime and air entry points for third-country nationals travelling from Spain, describing the move as necessary to protect national security.

Spain condemned the Italian restrictions as unfair, discriminatory and contrary to the European Union’s interests. Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares described them as damaging to European unity and warned that Madrid would adopt proportionate countermeasures unless Rome reversed its decision. The reciprocal checks were announced after Italy rejected Spain’s demand.

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Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government said it would not reconsider the restrictions before August 15, when it claimed Spanish authorities expected another wave of migration towards Ceuta. Rome said the controls would remain until it was satisfied that Italy faced no security, terrorism or irregular migration risks, while promising to minimise disruption for unaffected Spanish and European travellers.

Spanish police have reportedly monitored online rumours about possible additional crossings in mid-August, although authorities have not officially predicted a repeat of the earlier rush. Spain urged Italy to avoid creating divisions within the European Union, while the diplomatic dispute highlighted differing approaches among member states over migration management and the operation of the Schengen free-travel area.

Official Spanish figures show that about 72,000 people entered Ceuta during the mass crossing and approximately 70,000 subsequently returned to Morocco. Spanish authorities reported 80 deaths, while two Moroccan rights groups placed the toll at at least 141. Morocco’s Interior Ministry said 11 people died on its side of the border. Those remaining in Ceuta, including hundreds of unaccompanied children, reportedly face limited access to food, water and shelter.

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