Italy has temporarily reintroduced border controls at its air and sea borders with Spain between August 1 and September 1, 2026, following the recent migration pressure in the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta.
Although some headlines have suggested that Italy has “suspended Schengen,” this is not technically accurate.
⏺️ Has the Schengen Agreement been suspended?
No.
Spain and Italy remain part of the Schengen Area, and the free movement of people between the two countries continues to apply.
What Italy has done is activate a mechanism provided for under the Schengen Borders Code, which allows Member States to temporarily reintroduce identity and document checks at their internal borders when there is a serious threat to public policy or internal security.
⏺️ What does this mean for travelers?
Spanish citizens and foreign nationals who legally reside in Spain can continue traveling to Italy.
However, during this period, Italian authorities may carry out identity and document checks on travelers arriving from Spain by air or sea.
For this reason, it is advisable to travel with a valid passport or national identity card and, for non-EU nationals, documentation proving their legal residence status in Spain.
⏺️ How ARC Legal Abogados can help
At ARC Legal, we aim to keep our readers informed about the latest developments in Spanish immigration law, international mobility, and Spanish nationality, providing clear, practical, and reliable information based on official sources.
If you have questions about how a particular legal or administrative development may affect your personal or professional situation, our team will be happy to assist you.
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¿Prefieres leer este artículo en español 🇪🇸? Puedes encontrarlo aquí: Italia restablece temporalmente los controles fronterizos con España: ¿qué implica para los viajeros?
The information contained in this article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Spanish immigration law is subject to ongoing legislative, administrative, and interpretative changes. At ARC Legal Abogados, we make every effort to ensure that our content remains accurate and based on official sources. However, we always recommend seeking professional legal advice before starting any immigration procedure or making legal decisions. If you require personalized assistance regarding your situation, please do not hesitate to contact our team.