The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, communicated this Saturday to various authorities of the European Union the Government's decision to temporarily restore border controls at airports and ports that maintain direct connections between the Kingdom of Spain and the Italian Republic.
The measure affects air and maritime connections between both countries and is framed within the monitoring of the migratory situation within the Schengen area, especially due to the pressure recorded on the central Mediterranean route, which affects Italy and may have effects on other member states.
Communication to the Commission, the Parliament, and the Council
According to the Ministry of the Interior, Marlaska has sent the communication to the executive vice president of the European Commission, Henna Virkkunen; to the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner; to the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola; and to the Secretary General of the Council of Ministers of Interior of the EU member states and the countries associated with Schengen, Thérèse Blanchet.
With this notification, Spain formally conveys to the European institutions the temporary reintroduction of controls at certain internal borders, a possibility provided for by Schengen regulations when there are reasons of public order or internal security.
Migratory pressure in the central Mediterranean
Marlaska explains in his writing that Spanish authorities are closely monitoring the evolution of the migratory situation in the Schengen area and, in particular, the pressure on the central Mediterranean route.
The Interior links this pressure to its possible repercussions for different member states, especially due to the activity of cross-border crime networks associated with irregular migration. The Government maintains that these circumstances may impact public order and internal security, which justifies the adoption of temporary control measures.
Controls from August 8 to September 7
The reintroduction of controls will be applied from 00:00 hours on August 8 to 00:00 hours on September 7. The period may be modified depending on the evolution of the circumstances that motivated the decision.
Interior has specified that, when the initial deadline expires, the Spanish authorities will carry out a new evaluation to decide whether to maintain the measure, modify it, or lift it. The Government thus proposes a temporary, reviewable control linked to the evolution of migratory pressure and associated risks.
The legal basis: the Schengen Borders Code
Spain bases the decision on articles 25 and following of the Regulation 2016/399 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of March 9, 2016, which establishes the so-called Schengen Borders Code.
This framework allows member states to reintroduce temporary controls at internal borders when there is a serious threat to public order or internal security. In this case, the Spanish Government applies this provision to direct connections with Italy by air and sea.
A measure with impact on airports and ports
The decision may result in additional documentation checks for passengers coming from Italy or heading to that country, both at Spanish airports and ports. Although it does not imply the closure of connections, it may generate inspections, waiting times, and more intense checks on certain routes.
The Government's objective is to reinforce security without interrupting ordinary mobility between the two countries. Interior maintains that the measure responds to a specific context and will be reviewed based on the evolution of the migratory situation and the activity of networks linked to irregular migration.
Schengen under migratory pressure
The Spanish decision once again places the debate on Schengen at the center of the European agenda. Free movement among member states is one of the pillars of the European Union, but countries can activate temporary controls when they consider there are risks to security or public order.
In this case, Spain acts on the connections with Italy due to the pressure from the central Mediterranean route and the fear of secondary movements within the European space. The measure will be in effect for one month, unless the Government decides to modify it earlier or extend it after a new evaluation.