Spain Extends Temporary Reintroduction of Border Controls at Air and Sea Borders with Italy

Current rules

Under the latest extension, the temporary controls will remain in force at the affected internal air and maritime borders with Italy from 8 October until 22 October 2026. The same substantive terms established by the August order continue to apply. A passenger arriving from Italy may therefore be subject to a border check on arrival in Spain despite travelling from another Schengen country. The check is carried out in accordance with the person's legal status. Spain's order explicitly states that the measure applies regardless of nationality. The restoration of border controls does not give Spanish authorities an unrestricted power to reject people simply because they are arriving from Italy. The original order expressly states that the measure is not a general entry prohibition and that controls or decisions cannot be based solely on nationality, ethnic origin, religion, physical appearance or another personal characteristic. The measure must also be applied consistently with the rights of EU citizens and their family members, the right to request international protection, non-refoulement, family unity and safeguards concerning children and vulnerable people. Spain says checks should be proportionate, flexible and based on risk analysis, with steps taken to reduce waiting times and maintain the flow of air and maritime transport. The latest order does not alter the normal rules governing visas, residence permits, asylum eligibility or citizenship. It temporarily changes where and when border checks can be carried out within the Schengen internal-border area.

Overview

The Spanish Ministry of the Interior has issued Order INT/932/2026, of 4 September, extending temporary border controls at internal air and sea borders for passenger flights and maritime links originating from the Italian Republic. This measure, initially established by Order INT/846/2026, of 7 August, will now apply from 00:00 hours on 8 September 2026 until 24:00 hours on 22 September 2026. The extension is based on the continued existence of urgent reasons and serious threats to public order and internal security, as permitted by Articles 25 and 26 of the Schengen Borders Code.

What changed in the latest version

For travellers arriving in Spain from Italy by air or sea, the practical consequence is that they may be subject to immigration checks at what would ordinarily be an internal Schengen border during the new 8–22 October period. The measure does not mean that every passenger will be refused entry or treated as an irregular migrant. Rather, Spain has temporarily restored the ability to carry out border checks at these specified internal crossings. The scope is narrower than a general restoration of controls across Spain's internal borders. The order specifically targets passenger connections whose immediate last point of departure is Italy. Spain says there is insufficient evidence of an equivalent threat at its other internal borders, which is why those routes remain outside the measure. The measure is particularly relevant to people travelling from Italy to Spain who have relied on the normal Schengen arrangement of crossing an internal border without routine border control. Travellers should be prepared for checks and should carry the documents they would ordinarily need to demonstrate their identity and their right to enter and remain in the relevant jurisdiction. The order does not remove the underlying rights of people who benefit from EU free movement or other applicable immigration rights. For third-country nationals moving through Italy before travelling to Spain, the measure is also relevant because Spain expressly links the controls to concern about secondary movements within the Schengen area. The order does not, however, establish that every traveller arriving from Italy is engaging in secondary movement or irregular migration.

Explained simply

Imagine travelling between two rooms in your house, but suddenly, there's a temporary checkpoint at the door between them. Spain and Italy are usually like two rooms without a checkpoint, but because of some concerns, Spain is temporarily putting up a checkpoint for anyone flying or sailing in from Italy. This means you'll need to show your ID when you arrive in Spain from Italy, just like when you enter a new country, but only until 22 October.

Frequently asked

Version history

1. v2Effective 8 Oct 2026EffectiveHigh impact
   Spain Extends Temporary Border Controls at Internal Air and Sea Borders with Italy

   Follows v1 · Spain Extends Temporary Border Controls for Arrivals from Italy

   The Spanish Ministry of the Interior has issued Order INT/1033/2026, of 1 October, extending temporary border controls at Spanish internal air and sea borders for passenger flights and maritime links originating from the Italian Republic. These controls, initially introduced in August 2026 and previously extended twice, will now remain in effect from 00:00 hours on 8 October 2026 until 24:00 hours on 22 October 2026. The extension is based on the continued persistence of serious threats to public order and internal security, maintaining the terms and conditions established by the initial Order INT/846/2026.

2. v1Effective 8 Sept 2026EffectiveHigh impact
   Spain Extends Temporary Border Controls for Arrivals from Italy

   Spain has extended the temporary reintroduction of border controls at its internal air and sea borders for passenger traffic originating from the Italian Republic. The controls, initially implemented under Order INT/846/2026, of 7 August, which ran until 7 September 2026, will now continue from 00:00 hours on 8 September 2026 until 24:00 hours on 22 September 2026. This extension affects all persons arriving via passenger flights and maritime links from Italy. The Spanish Ministry of the Interior confirmed this prolongation, citing ongoing threats to public order and internal security.