Photo: EPA
A dispute over the migration crisis has escalated into a broader confrontation between Spain and Italy over the rules governing free movement within the European Union.
Spain has given Italy until August 9 to lift border checks introduced within the Schengen Area. Madrid has warned that it could take “proportionate measures” if Rome refuses to comply. Italy, however, quickly rejected the demand, saying it would not accept any “ultimatums or external pressure” on matters concerning national security and control of its borders, The Objective reported.
The government of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is demanding that Italy fully withdraw the checks and restore unrestricted movement within the Schengen zone. Madrid argues that Rome's decision, introduced without prior notice on August 1 following the migration crisis in Ceuta, violates the Schengen Borders Code. Spanish authorities have also described the measure as discriminatory toward Spanish citizens and disruptive to thousands of travelers during the peak tourist season.
Madrid has rejected Italy's justification for the controls, stressing that Ceuta has a special status within the Schengen framework. According to the Spanish government, migrants who entered the enclave illegally could not freely travel onward to other EU countries. Madrid also insists that the acute phase of the crisis has already passed, with the vast majority of migrants returning to Morocco.
Spain has additionally accused Italy of failing to comply since 2022 with the Dublin Regulation, under which responsibility for processing an asylum application generally falls on the EU member state through which the applicant first entered the bloc.
Italy rejects Spain's demands
The government of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said it would not change its position, arguing that decisions concerning border controls fall under national security. Rome stressed that Italy “does not accept ultimatums or foreign pressure.”
Italian authorities said the checks affecting travelers from Spain would remain in place at least until August 15.
Italy attributed the extension to intelligence information and social media reports about a possible new attempt by migrants to cross into Ceuta from Morocco, allegedly planned for August 15. Rome stressed that the measures were not directed against Spain and said they did not rule out further constructive dialogue between the two countries.
Migration crisis triggered dispute
The dispute between Madrid and Rome is directly linked to the migration crisis in Ceuta. At the end of July, between 60,000 and 75,000 migrants, according to estimates by local authorities, reportedly entered the Spanish enclave from Morocco.
It later emerged that Spanish intelligence services had warned the government several days before the incident that a large-scale border crossing was being planned. However, additional forces were not deployed to Ceuta in time.
After the most acute phase of the crisis ended, Spain installed a floating barrier along the border and later officially stated that almost all of the migrants had returned to Morocco.
Madrid is now citing these developments as evidence that there are no longer sufficient grounds for maintaining the Schengen restrictions. The dispute highlights growing tensions within the EU over migration policy, border security and the principle of free movement.
