World

Ceuta migration crisis: Italy suspends Schengen rules for travelers from Spain

Herz — World Desk · 31 July 2026 at 21:31 · 30s summary · 4 min read

The essentials

Italy has suspended Schengen rules for non-European nationals arriving from Spain. The measure, announced on July 31, 2026 by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, takes effect on August 1, 2026 for one month. It follows the arrival of 60,000 migrants at Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa. Only maritime and air entry points are affected; Spanish and EU citizens are not targeted. France has meanwhile quintupled its police presence at the Franco-Spanish border, deploying 334 officers. Spain rejects criticism, noting that over 48,000 migrants have already returned to Morocco.

Italian Schengen suspension for non-Europeans from Spain effective August 1–31, 2026
60,000 migrants arrived at Ceuta, Spanish enclave in North Africa, prompting the measure
Over 48,000 migrants already returned to Morocco per Spanish government
France deployed 334 police and gendarmes to Franco-Spanish border
Spain rejects criticism and defends Schengen's integrity

It is prompted by the arrival of 60,000 migrants at Ceuta—an autonomous Spanish city on the northern coast of Africa, bordering Morocco. Only maritime and air entry points are affected; Spanish and EU citizens are not targeted.

What we know

Tajani described the measure as "necessary" and "inevitable," stating that it is "provided for by treaties." Italy's Interior Ministry confirmed the details to AFP.

On Thursday, July 30, 2026, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly called for Spain's suspension from Schengen. She called images of thousands of migrants arriving at Ceuta "shocking."

Spain's response

Schengen's integrity is absolutely guaranteed.
— Jose Manuel Albares, Spanish Foreign Minister

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares rejected the criticism. He noted that it is impossible to reach the Iberian Peninsula from Ceuta or Melilla—another Spanish enclave in North Africa—without identification at a police checkpoint.

The Spanish government stated that more than 48,000 of those who entered Ceuta had already returned to Morocco. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called for European unity in response to criticism over the crisis.

France and Portugal's response

France's Interior Ministry announced on Friday, July 31 that it quintupled its personnel at the Franco-Spanish border, bringing their number to 334 police and gendarmes. Three border police aircraft are deployed, and patrols on Franco-Spanish trains are being reinforced.

President Emmanuel Macron had requested the reinforcement with "four mobile force units," aircraft, and drones. Italy and France, following bilateral discussions, also agreed to strengthen controls at their shared land border.

Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro said that strengthening law enforcement presence at land and sea borders, particularly in the south, is justified in coordination with Spain. However, he ruled out any suspension of Schengen rules, arguing that "mechanisms" exist to restore the situation.

Context

The Schengen Borders Code—EU Regulation 2016/399—allows a member state to temporarily reintroduce controls at internal borders in case of a serious threat to public order or internal security. Italy invokes this legal basis to justify its decision.

Such measures are not unprecedented. During the 2015–2016 refugee crisis, several member states—including Germany, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and France—reintroduced temporary controls at their internal Schengen borders, with some maintaining them for several years.