The Spanish government has announced that it will impose border controls on passengers arriving from Italy by air and sea until September 7, amid a dispute with Italy over irregular migration. Passengers arriving from Italy will be subject to identity and passport checks, with the measures remaining in place until September 7.

Spain decided to introduce the controls in retaliation for Italy’s refusal to lift temporary border checks on passengers arriving from Spain. The checks on passengers arriving from Italy will take effect at midnight and remain in place until September 7. The tensions between the two countries are linked to an increase in attempts by irregular migrants to reach Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave.

Earlier in the day, the Spanish government had called on Italy to lift its temporary border controls. Madrid warned that, failing this, it would take proportionate measures based on the principle of reciprocity. Italy, however, responded that it would not accept an “ultimatum” from Spain. The Italian government said that the controls would remain in place at least until August 15, citing expectations of a new wave of migration towards Ceuta.

The Dispute Stems from Ceuta

The tensions between the two countries are rooted in increased irregular migration activity. More than 800 irregular migrants attempting to swim from the coast of the Moroccan town of Castillejos to Ceuta were intercepted.

Following the developments, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that the government had mobilised all available resources. As attempts to enter Ceuta irregularly increased, the Spanish government also decided to deploy the armed forces to the area to help ensure security.

Italy, which does not share a land border with Spain, had suspended the Schengen arrangements providing for free movement between the two countries, citing the need to prevent irregular migrants who had entered Ceuta illegally from travelling onwards to Italy.

Following the influx of irregular migrants towards Ceuta, the Spanish government warned that it would retaliate if Italy failed to lift its border controls on passengers arriving from Spain by Sunday. Italy, in turn, said it would not yield to “ultimatums or impositions” from Spain and would maintain border checks on arrivals from Spain at least until August 15.