Italy Suspends Schengen With Spain Over Ceuta Crisis

Italy has imposed temporary checks on flights and maritime travel between the country and Spain, suspending Spain’s Schengen border-free arrangements in response to a surge of migrants in the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta.

The Italian government said on Friday that border controls would be introduced after tens of thousands of people arrived in the area this week. The measures affect air connections and sea transport routes and are set to remain in place throughout August, Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said.

Border Controls Between Italy And Spain

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the step is intended to protect Italy’s national security. She described it as an “extraordinary” measure and said it would be kept only for as long as necessary, with an emphasis on limiting disruption to summer tourist travel.

Meloni also said Italy is prepared to support European efforts to help Spanish authorities restore full control of the Union’s external borders and to respond to the crisis.

She added that defending borders involves countering irregular migration and targeting criminal networks involved in human trafficking.

Migrants Arrive After Spain’s Court Ruling

The migrant influx came after a ruling by Spain’s Supreme Court. It held that people who are stopped at sea while trying to reach Ceuta or another Spanish enclave, Melilla, cannot be returned to Morocco.

Related article: https://aseannow.com/worldnews/italys-meloni-calls-for-spain-suspension-from-schengen-r1609/

Spanish officials said on Friday evening that more than 48,000 people had returned voluntarily to Morocco since the situation escalated.

The scale of the arrivals has raised concerns across Europe about how to manage routes used by smugglers, as migrants try to cross from the north-west African coast towards Spanish territory.

EU Response After Ceuta Crisis

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the situation in Ceuta was unacceptable. She said she had appointed two commissioners to oversee the Commission’s response and urged member states to act in line with EU rules.

Von der Leyen said the Union cannot allow people to enter without following its procedures, that dangerous crossings must stop immediately, that smuggling networks should be dismantled, and that returns should be carried out swiftly in line with existing rules.

EU commissioner Magnus Brunner, responsible for coordination, said Spain’s foreign minister, José Manuel Albares, informed him that almost all migrants who entered Ceuta had returned and that no one had crossed to the EU mainland.

Brunner said he would remain in close contact with ministers across Europe.

In a separate statement, Albares said Schengen security was guaranteed and criticised what he described as attempts to create confusion around the issue.

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez also condemned Italy’s action, arguing that it undermines European unity at a time when Spain says it is maintaining control of events. He said solidarity and empathy were not optional, while compliance with European treaties was required, and called for continued efforts to keep the EU united.

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1 August 2026