In response to Meloni, Spain established border controls on travelers from Italy

Spain announced temporary border controls for travelers from Italy on Friday, in response to similar measures imposed by Giorgia Meloni’s government following the mass influx of migrants into Ceuta.

These controls, implemented “in response to the persistent irregular migration pressure” facing Italy, will take effect on Saturday, August 8, at 00:00 (02:00 GMT) and will remain in place until September 7, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.

Earlier, the Spanish government had threatened “proportional measures” against Italy, which temporarily closed the Schengen Area, the European Union’s free movement zone, to Spain a week ago, after the arrival of some 72,000 migrants to the Spanish enclave in North Africa from neighboring Morocco.

The incident drew criticism from other European Union countries whose governments, unlike the Spanish government of Pedro Sánchez, promote hardline migration policies.

Italy spearheaded this effort and, since August 1, has implemented border controls at maritime and air entry points for third-country nationals arriving from Spain.

The Spanish government had earlier on Friday lashed out at Rome’s decision, which it considers “unfair, contrary to the interests of the EU, and discriminatory against the Spanish population.”

Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares described it as “a torpedo below the waterline of European unity.” The Moncloa Palace (the Spanish Prime Minister’s official residence) demanded that Italy lift the restrictions immediately.

“If it does not do so before the end of Sunday, August 9, Spain will be forced to adopt proportionate measures to protect the interests and dignity of its citizens,” the government stated in a press release.

However, shortly afterward, they decided to bring forward the implementation of the measure, which came into effect this Friday, August 7, at midnight local time.

The shocking images of the massive arrival of migrants in Ceuta went viral and provoked strong tensions within the European Union.

Of the 72,000 people who entered Ceuta, 70,000 have returned to Morocco, according to official Spanish figures. The migrants who remain in the autonomous city, including hundreds of unaccompanied minors, have little access to food, water, or shelter.

Official statement from the Government of Spain regarding Italy’s unjustified checks on travelers from Spain.

🔗 https://t.co/f4pElTfij0 pic.twitter.com/eP9F7PEbzZ

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation (@MAECgob) August 7, 2026

Spanish authorities indicated that 80 people died during the crossings. The Moroccan Ministry of the Interior reported 11 deaths on its side of the border, all but one due to drowning.

However, NGOs in Morocco stated on Friday that at least 141 deaths had been recorded and that the toll was likely to rise.

Italy justified the suspension of free movement, one of the European Union’s greatest achievements, as a “necessary decision to protect the security” of its citizens “and defend Europe’s borders.”

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s office said it did not intend to “review the decision” before August 15. “Only when there is certainty that there are no security or terrorism risks for Italy, that there is no new wave of migration, and that there are no irregular migrants heading to European territory, will we reconsider,” it stated in a press release.

Meloni’s government has attempted to stem the arrival of the tens of thousands of migrants who land each year in small boats on the peninsula’s shores.

The Spanish government, in its ultimatum, urged Italy to avoid “creating divisions and sterile conflicts driven by electoral motivations” and expressed its hope that “Europeanism, common sense, and good faith will prevail.”

According to Spanish media, police are monitoring rumors circulating online and on social media in anticipation of another possible mass arrival of migrants.

Meanwhile, the European Commission urged Meta and TikTok to “take decisive action” to curb disinformation, indicating that it held talks with both platforms on Friday.

“Platforms must take decisive action to preserve the integrity of the digital space, especially in crisis situations,” stated Henna Virkkunen, European Commissioner for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy.