Spain introduced temporary border controls for travelers from Italy on August 9, 2026, in a retaliatory move following a diplomatic row over migrant influxes in Ceuta.
The decision follows intense negotiations between Spanish Prime Minister Sanchez and Italian leader Meloni, which failed to resolve the escalating dispute over Mediterranean migration routes.
The border restrictions are expected to remain in place indefinitely, marking a significant strain on EU internal travel policies and bilateral relations between the two nations.