The migration crisis in Ceuta has escalated into a diplomatic dispute between Italy and Spain. Madrid announced the temporary reintroduction of internal border checks for travelers arriving from Italy, citing “persistent irregular migratory pressure.” The measure will take effect at midnight on Saturday, August 8, and remain in force until September 7 unless changes in the circumstances that justified it make a different duration appropriate. Rome, meanwhile, rejected the ultimatum from Pedro Sánchez’s government and confirmed it will maintain the suspension of the Schengen agreement for third‐country nationals coming from Spain at least until August 15.

Checks will be carried out at ports and airports on a selective basis, verifying travelers’ identity, passport, and nationality. For third‐country nationals, visas and residence permits will also be inspected.

The Spanish government had invited Italy to lift the suspension of the Schengen agreement with respect to Spain, introduced after the migration crisis in Ceuta more than a week ago. Madrid gave Rome a three‐day deadline, until Sunday, August 9, warning that otherwise “Spain will be forced to adopt proportionate measures to protect the interests and dignity of its citizens.”

The standoff over Schengen

Madrid’s decision follows its demand that Italy revoke the suspension of Schengen rules applied to Spain, a suspension Rome enacted after the Ceuta migration surge. The deadline set was Sunday, August 9, with a warning that, if not met, Spain would take “proportionate measures” to safeguard its citizens.

“This measure is directed against Spaniards and against Europe and attacks them,” said Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares on arrival in Colombia, where he accompanied King Felipe for the inauguration of the new president Abelardo de la Espriella. “This measure by the Italian government is a torpedo that hits the European Union,” he added after urging the Italian government to “withdraw the unjustified measures introduced against Spaniards. There is no reason for these measures. Italy is the EU country with the highest number of irregular entries. Europe needs unity.”

Palazzo Chigi’s response

Italy rejected the ultimatum. In a statement, Palazzo Chigi reiterated that “Italy does not accept ultimatums or impositions from abroad regarding national security and border control.”

The government confirmed that the suspension of the Schengen agreement for third‐country nationals arriving from Spain will remain in force at least until August 15 and, in any case, until risks to national security and possible infiltration linked to migratory flows are ruled out.

According to the government, a new wave of migration toward Ceuta is expected in mid‐August, and only once the risks have subsided will the measures be reviewed. Palazzo Chigi also emphasized that the decision is not a hostile act toward Madrid, noting that similar measures have previously been adopted by other European countries.

The Italian government also clarified that Spanish and other EU citizens are not affected by the reinstated checks at air and sea borders, and that border authorities will ensure the greatest possible fluidity of travel connections.

Piantedosi: “Temporary measure”

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi described the measure as “temporary,” intended exclusively for citizens who are not members of the European Union.

“It was adopted in a targeted and selective manner with the sole objective of protecting national security,” the minister said, adding that the government will assess developments after August 15.

Accusations from the Spanish government

Madrid, for its part, considers the controls introduced by Italy to be “unjust, discriminatory and contrary to the interests of the European Union.” According to the Spanish government, the measure has caused hardship for thousands of passengers during the height of the summer season and was decided unilaterally without prior notice.

La Moncloa also asserts that migrants who entered Ceuta irregularly cannot freely access the Schengen area because of the autonomous city’s special status, and that nearly all of those who arrived in recent days have already been repatriated to Morocco.

The Spanish government note also recalls that, according to Frontex data, Italy has recorded a higher number of irregular crossings than Spain for years, and that Madrid, despite this, has never reinstated checks on Italy, demonstrating solidarity even during the Lampedusa emergency.

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