Italy temporarily suspends Schengen travel with Spain amid Ceuta migrant influx
Italy has halted the free-movement provisions of the Schengen agreement with Spain, citing security concerns after thousands of migrants arrived in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The measure was approved by Italy’s interior ministry and has drawn mixed reactions from EU members.
Italy’s interior ministry announced the temporary suspension of the Schengen free-movement regime with Spain, closing sea and air borders between the two countries. The decision, presented by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and deputy prime ministers Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini, follows the arrival of thousands of migrants in the Spanish North-African enclave of Ceuta.
"The temporary suspension of Schengen with Spain is a necessary choice to safeguard the security of our citizens and defend the European borders," Tajani wrote on X.
The suspension was formally approved on Friday at a meeting chaired by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, based on assessments from Italy’s Committee for Migration Analysis and Border Security. France also announced tighter controls on its land border with Spain, with President Emmanuel Macron offering assistance to Spanish authorities.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez responded on X, emphasizing the need for solidarity and adherence to European treaties, and cited Frontex data showing higher irregular entries recorded by Italy than by Spain between 2021 and 2026. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares summoned Italy’s ambassador to Madrid for explanations and said the Ceuta crisis stemmed from an interpretation of a recent Supreme Court ruling that criminal networks were exploiting.
By Friday, Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Sweden expressed support for Italy’s position. Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said Spain had failed to protect the external Schengen border, while European Commissioner for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner noted that special provisions for Ceuta and Melilla remain in force and that checks on departures from Ceuta continue.
The proposal has sparked debate within Italy ahead of the upcoming general election and has been noted by several European parties.