Italy has temporarily reinstated border checks with Spain, suspending Schengen free movement between the two countries and closing its sea and air borders in response to a sharp increase in migrant arrivals in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.
The move, announced on Thursday by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni alongside Deputy Prime Ministers Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini, was described by the Italian government as a necessary step to strengthen national security and protect the European Union’s external borders.
Italy’s Interior Ministry formally approved the temporary measures on Friday after reviewing security assessments presented by the Committee for Migration Analysis and Border Security during a meeting chaired by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi.
Defending the decision, Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani said the suspension was permitted under existing European treaties and had become necessary due to the growing migration pressure. He argued that protecting the EU’s external borders is a collective responsibility of all member states and warned that uncontrolled migration could increase security risks, including the threat of terrorism.
France also announced tighter monitoring along its land border with Spain. President Emmanuel Macron said the additional checks were intended to assist Spanish authorities in managing the migration situation in Ceuta.
Spain, however, criticized Italy’s decision, insisting that migration challenges should be addressed through cooperation rather than unilateral restrictions.
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez argued that European unity should remain the priority and maintained that available Frontex figures showed Italy had recorded more irregular migrant arrivals than Spain over recent years. He called for a coordinated European response instead of measures that could undermine the principles of the Schengen Agreement.
Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, also expressed concern over the decision and summoned Italy’s ambassador to Madrid to seek clarification on the temporary border restrictions.
According to Spain’s Foreign Ministry, the migration surge in Ceuta was linked to differing interpretations of a recent Spanish Supreme Court ruling involving migrants who entered the enclave by sea. Authorities said criminal organizations and human trafficking networks had exploited the situation rather than any change in Spain’s migration policy.
The developments have drawn wider European attention, with Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Sweden voicing support for Italy’s tougher border stance.
Meanwhile, European Commissioner for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner acknowledged the seriousness of the situation but said there was no evidence that migrants arriving in Ceuta were moving into mainland Europe or other EU member states. He also noted that the Schengen Borders Code already provides for specific border checks in Ceuta and Melilla.
