Italy extended border controls for travellers from Spain for 15 days on Wednesday, 30 September 2026. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi adopted the measure, citing the migration crisis in Ceuta, to reinforce European borders and combat terrorist threats.
The restrictions, first adopted on 1 August, involve random checks at ports and airports. By 31 August, Italy identified 180,000 travellers, refusing entry to 31 and detaining six. Spain responded with reciprocal controls, which Italy called uselessly aggressive.
EU ministers meet in Luxembourg on 1 October to discuss the Schengen area and the new Pact on Migration and Asylum. The European Commission, which recently presented a new action plan, will re-evaluate Italy's asylum seeker transfer situation in October.