Italy and Spain Reinstate Random Passport Checks After Ceuta Migrant Surge

Italy and Spain Reinstate Random Passport Checks After Ceuta Migrant Surge

Italy and Spain reinstated random passport and visa checks on travelers moving between the two nations, extending the measures for at least a month, after a dispute over migration policy sparked by a massive influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. The crisis began when thousands of migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta, prompting local officials to request a national emergency and the deployment of Spanish troops. Italy responded by suspending Schengen travel with Spain, while Spain later imposed temporary passport checks on Italian arrivals.

The surge also led Spain to install sea and floating barriers and prompted an EU emergency summit calling for tighter external borders. The reciprocal checks were introduced as both governments sought to manage the fallout.

Acteurs

Juan Jesús Vivas Pedro Sánchez Ceuta regional government Spanish government Moroccan authorities

Lieux

Ceuta, Spain Madrid, Spain Morocco

Articles

8 août 2026
2 au total
Southern Europe's anti-immigrant attitude on display as Spain, Italy start checking each other's passports
Southern Europe's anti-immigrant attitude on display as Spain, Italy start checking each other's passports

fortune.com • 08 août 16h07

Italy and Spain have reintroduced random passport controls for travelers between the two countries, extending the measures for at least a month after a dispute over migration policies.

Crédibilité 71% Manip. 32% Centre
Spain imposes border checks on Italian travelers in tit-for-tat move
Spain imposes border checks on Italian travelers in tit-for-tat move

AP News • 08 août 12h53

Spain announced a month-long series of police checks on Italian visitors in response to Italy's earlier restrictions on Spanish travelers, a move linked to tensions over recent migrant arrivals in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 32% Centre
7 août 2026
2 au total
Spain announces immediate border controls with Italy in migration spat
Spain announces immediate border controls with Italy in migration spat

CNN • 07 août 20h15

Spain announced temporary passport, nationality and visa checks on arrivals from Italy starting Saturday, responding to Italy's own controls after a surge of migrants in Ceuta.

Crédibilité 73% Manip. 10% Centre
Spain threatens retaliation if Italy fails to lift border controls over Ceuta
Spain threatens retaliation if Italy fails to lift border controls over Ceuta

BBC • 07 août 15h25

Spain said it will take proportional measures if Italy does not lift the temporary Schengen restrictions it imposed after a mass migrant arrival in Ceuta, while Italy insists the checks will remain until mid-August.

Crédibilité 73% Manip. 32% Centre
6 août 2026
1 au total
EU can’t depend on neighbors for border control, migration chief says
EU can’t depend on neighbors for border control, migration chief says

politico.eu • 06 août 18h59

EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner said the union remains vulnerable to illegal migration when external border management depends on the goodwill of adjacent countries, citing the recent influx of migrants into Ceuta.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 30% Centre
4 août 2026
3 au total
Online rumors sparked rush by migrants to Spanish territory
Online rumors sparked rush by migrants to Spanish territory

NBC News • 04 août 16h23

Online posts claiming the Spain-Morocco border was open prompted thousands of Moroccans to travel to Ceuta, resulting in dozens of deaths and a rapid return of most migrants.

Crédibilité 71% Manip. 9% Centre
Ceuta crisis drives deep division within EU over migration policy
Ceuta crisis drives deep division within EU over migration policy

apnews.com • 04 août 16h11

A sudden arrival of tens of thousands of migrants in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta sparked criticism of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's policies and highlighted divisions within the European Union on migration management.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 35% Centre
Runaway online rumors sparked frantic rush by migrants to Ceuta
Runaway online rumors sparked frantic rush by migrants to Ceuta

AP News • 04 août 04h01

Online posts claiming the Spain-Morocco border was open prompted thousands of Moroccans to travel toward Ceuta, resulting in dozens of deaths and a rapid return of most migrants.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 9% Centre
3 août 2026
3 au total
EU calls for stronger borders after migrant crossings into Spanish territory
EU calls for stronger borders after migrant crossings into Spanish territory

bbc.com • 03 août 21h43

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for stronger external borders ahead of an emergency meeting of EU interior ministers following tens of thousands of migrants crossing from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 8% Centre
Why Did 60,000 Migrants Cross from Morocco into Spain’s Ceuta? Moroccan Dutch Professor Explains
Why Did 60,000 Migrants Cross from Morocco into Spain’s Ceuta? Moroccan Dutch Professor Explains

Democracy Now! • 03 août 17h47

An estimated 60,000 people attempted to enter the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco last week, resulting in dozens of deaths; authorities say most have since returned voluntarily.

Crédibilité 68% Manip. 12% Centre
Spain’s Ceuta overwhelmed as thousands remain after migrant border rush
Spain’s Ceuta overwhelmed as thousands remain after migrant border rush

NBC News • 03 août 12h37

Around 3,000 to 5,000 migrants are still in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta following a weekend influx that saw about 69,500 people returned to Morocco, authorities said.

Crédibilité 72% Manip. 32% Centre
2 août 2026
2 au total
Ceuta returns to calm as most migrants leave Spanish territory
Ceuta returns to calm as most migrants leave Spanish territory

AP News • 02 août 12h19

After a sudden arrival of up to 60,000 migrants, most have gone back to Morocco, while authorities continue searches and political tensions rise in the Spanish enclave.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 28% Centre
Spanish government received intelligence warnings of Ceuta migrant surge days before crisis
Spanish government received intelligence warnings of Ceuta migrant surge days before crisis

Euronews.com • 02 août 12h11

Spanish authorities were warned days in advance about a large migrant crossing into Ceuta, but deployment of additional forces was delayed despite the warnings.

Crédibilité 68% Manip. 12% Centre
1 août 2026
6 au total
EU calls emergency meeting to discuss Ceuta migrant crossings
EU calls emergency meeting to discuss Ceuta migrant crossings

BBC • 01 août 20h09

EU leaders will convene an emergency summit after 60,000 migrants entered Spain's Ceuta enclave, prompting calls for tighter external borders and coordinated action.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 9% Centre
After Ceuta, Spain's leader Sánchez faces his biggest challenge : NPR
After Ceuta, Spain's leader Sánchez faces his biggest challenge : NPR

NPR • 01 août 18h33

Nearly 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, prompting a military response and sparking criticism of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez from domestic opponents and foreign leaders.

Crédibilité 71% Manip. 28% Centre
Spain attacks 'selfish' response of some EU countries to Ceuta migrant crossings
Spain attacks 'selfish' response of some EU countries to Ceuta migrant crossings

BBC • 01 août 12h43

Spain denounced the reaction of several EU members to a recent influx of migrants in Ceuta, calling for an urgent meeting of interior ministers, while Italy has temporarily suspended the Schengen arrangement with Spain.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 12% Centre
Spain Installs Floating Barrier in Ceuta After Influx of Migrants
Spain Installs Floating Barrier in Ceuta After Influx of Migrants

The New York Times • 01 août 08h28

Spain's interior ministry announced the installation of a floating barrier at the sea wall between Morocco and the enclave of Ceuta following a wave of tens of thousands of migrants, with most having returned to Morocco and at least 67 deaths reported.

Crédibilité 72% Manip. 8% Centre
Death toll in Spain-Morocco border crisis in Ceuta reaches 67
Death toll in Spain-Morocco border crisis in Ceuta reaches 67

AP News • 01 août 08h18

The death toll from the recent Ceuta border incident reached 67, prompting Spanish authorities to erect a 500-meter sea barrier as migrants are returned to Morocco.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 12% Centre
Spain sends over 48,000 migrants in Ceuta back to Morocco after deadly border rush
Spain sends over 48,000 migrants in Ceuta back to Morocco after deadly border rush

CBS News • 01 août 00h25

More than 48,000 people who entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta were returned to Morocco following a surge in crossings that left dozens dead and prompted a large security response.

Crédibilité 74% Manip. 9% Centre
31 juillet 2026
9 au total
Ceuta: Spain says most migrants have returned to Morocco
Ceuta: Spain says most migrants have returned to Morocco

DW.com • 31 juil. 22h26

Spain says about 48,300 of the roughly 60,000 migrants who entered the enclave of Ceuta have gone back to Morocco, while Italy has temporarily suspended its Schengen travel agreement with Spain.

Crédibilité 72% Manip. 45% Centre
What To Know About Migrant Surge
What To Know About Migrant Surge

Forbes • 31 juil. 19h16

Spanish officials said the majority of roughly 60,000 migrants who entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Thursday have been sent back, describing the episode as an unsustainable humanitarian emergency.

Crédibilité 72% Manip. 12% Centre
Europe’s Borderless Dream Becomes a Nightmare
Europe’s Borderless Dream Becomes a Nightmare

The Free Press • 31 juil. 18h48

More than 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta within a day, reviving discussions about Europe's migration policies and their political impact.

Crédibilité 34% Manip. 57% Droite
Breaking news. - Italy suspends Schengen with Spain over Ceuta migrant crisis
Breaking news. - Italy suspends Schengen with Spain over Ceuta migrant crisis

Euronews.com • 31 juil. 16h24

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.

Crédibilité 73% Manip. 45% Centre
Spain’s PM visits Ceuta after 34 migrants die breaching border from Morocco
Spain’s PM visits Ceuta after 34 migrants die breaching border from Morocco

Al Jazeera • 31 juil. 11h11

At least 34 migrants died after breaching the Ceuta border from Morocco, while officials said up to 60,000 people entered the enclave in the past day.

Crédibilité 71% Manip. 15% Centre
Spain’s Leader Rushes to Ceuta After Thousands of Migrants Burst Across Border: Live Updates
Spain’s Leader Rushes to Ceuta After Thousands of Migrants Burst Across Border: Live Updates

The New York Times • 31 juil. 09h24

Thousands of migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, prompting the government to deploy military units and draw criticism from right-wing politicians.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 22% Centre
Spain’s prime minister rushes to defuse migrant crisis after 60,000 cross from Morocco in a single day
Spain’s prime minister rushes to defuse migrant crisis after 60,000 cross from Morocco in a single day

CNN • 31 juil. 08h11

Around 60,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco in one day, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to travel there and announce measures to restore security and process expulsions.

Crédibilité 68% Manip. 32% Centre
At least 18 die after breach of border between Morocco and Spanish territory of Ceuta
At least 18 die after breach of border between Morocco and Spanish territory of Ceuta

AP News • 31 juil. 07h22

A surge of migrants crossing from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta left at least 18 dead and prompted calls for emergency measures and military deployment.

Crédibilité 72% Manip. 8% Centre
18 die after breach of border between Morocco and Spanish exclave : NPR
18 die after breach of border between Morocco and Spanish exclave : NPR

NPR • 31 juil. 06h02

Eighteen migrants died as thousands forced their way into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta, prompting a military deployment and a visit by Spain’s prime minister and interior minister.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 12% Centre
30 juillet 2026
5 au total
What To Know About Migrant Surge
What To Know About Migrant Surge

Forbes • 30 juil. 23h22

Around 3,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco on Thursday, leading local authorities to ask the national government to declare a state of emergency.

Crédibilité 72% Manip. 38% Centre
What to know about Spain's enclave of Ceuta as migrants arrive
What to know about Spain's enclave of Ceuta as migrants arrive

AP News • 30 juil. 23h11

Thousands of migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco, prompting the government to send armed forces to assist the Civil Guard after at least nine deaths were reported.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 5% Centre
Italy calls for closing Schengen area to Spain over Ceuta migrant crisis
Italy calls for closing Schengen area to Spain over Ceuta migrant crisis

Euronews.com • 30 juil. 19h54

Italy’s foreign minister called for closing the Schengen area to Spain following a wave of migrants reaching the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, while Spain announced the deployment of troops to the border.

Crédibilité 71% Manip. 8% Centre
Thousands break through border separating Spain's Ceuta from Morocco
Thousands break through border separating Spain's Ceuta from Morocco

AP News • 30 juil. 17h16

Thousands of people entered the Spanish territory of Ceuta from Morocco, leading local officials to request a national emergency and military assistance, while Spain and Morocco coordinate a response.

Crédibilité 78% Manip. 10% Centre
Ceuta asks Spain to declare emergency over Morocco migrants
Ceuta asks Spain to declare emergency over Morocco migrants

DW.com • 30 juil. 16h23

The Spanish enclave of Ceuta asked the central government to declare a national emergency and deploy the army after hundreds of migrants crossed the breakwater from Morocco, prompting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to pledge an immediate response.

Crédibilité 72% Manip. 9% Centre