Italy suspends free movement with Spain: Is Schengen in crisis after Ceuta?
Summary
Italy has reintroduced border controls with Spain after thousands of migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco. This move affects travel by air and sea between Italy and Spain but does not suspend the Schengen Agreement, which allows passport-free movement across many European countries.Key Facts
- Over 60,000 people crossed into Ceuta from Morocco in late July 2026; about 3,000 to 5,000 migrants remain there.
- At least 72 migrants died during the crossing into Ceuta.
- Italy announced border controls with Spain, despite no shared land border, impacting air and sea travel between the two countries.
- The Schengen Agreement, started in 1985 and active since 1995, allows free movement across 29 European countries without passport checks.
- Countries such as Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden have maintained some internal border controls since 2015 due to migration pressures.
- Italy’s reintroduction of border controls with Spain is the first unilateral move based on arrivals in a country with no land border with Italy.
- Experts say Italy’s action is more political than practical, as migrants from Ceuta cannot realistically reach Italy directly.
- Twenty-two EU countries supported Italy’s position in a joint letter.
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