Travellers flying or sailing from Spain to Italy will face temporary border checks after the Italian government reintroduced controls on arrivals in response to the recent migrant crisis in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

The measure, which came into force at the end of last week, applies to arrivals by air and sea and marks a temporary suspension of normal Schengen free movement rules between the two countries. Italy says the checks are necessary to protect national security following the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants in Ceuta after a mass crossing from neighbouring Morocco.

What it means for travellers

For most holidaymakers, the impact is expected to be limited.

Italian authorities are carrying out identity checks at airports and ports on passengers arriving from Spain. Travellers should allow extra time for border formalities and ensure they are carrying valid identification, even if travelling within the Schengen Area.

The controls are targeted primarily at non-EU nationals, although authorities may conduct spot checks on any traveller. Italian officials have stressed that the move is intended to minimise disruption during the busy summer travel season.

Response to the Ceuta crisis

The decision follows an unprecedented migrant surge into Ceuta, Spain’s autonomous city on the North African coast, where between 50,000 and 60,000 people crossed from Morocco in just a few days. The crisis prompted emergency discussions across Europe and renewed debate over the management of the EU’s external borders.

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the temporary controls as a measure permitted under Schengen rules to safeguard public security. France has also announced tighter checks along its border with Spain while offering support to Spanish authorities in managing the situation.

Advice for Monaco residents

For Monaco residents travelling to Italy after visiting Spain, whether by flight or ferry, the advice is: carry your passport or national identity card, arrive at airports and ports earlier than usual, and be prepared for possible document checks on arrival.

While the additional controls are not expected to significantly affect most travellers, they could result in longer queues during the peak summer holiday period.

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