A dispute between the Italian government and the Spanish government has escalated over immigration and border security. Italy's government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has enacted stricter border controls for non-EU citizens traveling from Spain, despite the two countries not sharing a land border. In response, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez implemented reciprocal measures for travelers from Italy. This situation has caused travel delays, particularly affecting the movement of over 2 million people between the two countries during peak travel season.
The conflict centers around the five-mile border between Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, where approximately 72,000 individuals attempted to cross illegally during a surge in late July. Meloni's government described the new border checks as an extraordinary measure to temporarily suspend the Schengen agreement's free movement provisions for maritime and air connections with Spain. This decision has drawn attention from various European leaders, including Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who joined Meloni in calling for a coordinated European response to immigration challenges.
Sánchez has characterized the Italian measures as politically motivated and stated that the situation in Ceuta is under control, emphasizing compliance with EU law. He noted that since 2021, there have been 470,600 irregular entries via Italy compared to 234,760 via Spain. The Spanish Foreign Ministry reiterated that irregular entry does not grant the right to remain in Spain or travel within Europe.
Following the implementation of the Italian border controls, Spain warned of proportionate measures in defense of its interests. The Italian Prime Minister's office stated that Italy would not reconsider its decision regarding national security and border control. Morocco has also increased security measures, arresting individuals attempting to reach Ceuta illegally.
Experts suggest that the ongoing back-and-forth between Italy and Spain may continue, as EU immigration policies are complex and enforcement is primarily the responsibility of individual countries. The mayor of Ceuta has expressed concerns about the situation, describing it as unsustainable and calling for more immediate action from the Spanish government. Health officials have reported cases of scabies and gastroenteritis among migrants, but confirmed no new tuberculosis cases originating from Ceuta.