The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported this Saturday the activation of a special emergency consular assistance device in response to what the Farnesina defines in its note as "the retaliatory measure of Sánchez's Government to re-establish controls at internal borders for travelers coming from Italy."
Through a statement on social media, Foreign Affairs has launched a specific Whatsapp channel called "Crisis Unit - Spain," designed exclusively to centralize and expedite the processing of consular procedures related to this situation.
The diplomatic department also emphasizes that the operational room of the aforementioned Reinforced Crisis Unit is now active continuously, 24 hours a day, at the number (+39 06 36225). Additionally, it reiterates the emergency phone numbers of its consulates in Madrid (+34 629 842287) and Barcelona (+34 659 790266), as well as that of the vice-consulate in Tenerife (+34 630 051176), to assist affected Italian citizens.
The Spanish Executive decided last night to temporarily re-establish controls at the internal borders of ports and airports for travelers arriving from Italy, after Giorgia Meloni's Government refused to lift the suspension applied to Spain under the Schengen agreement.
Sources from the Spanish Government explained that this decision is made due to "the persistent irregular migratory pressure that the transalpine country suffers," which has led to increased surveillance at entry points.
According to what was agreed, border controls will be applied from 00:00 hours this Saturday, August 8, and will include the verification of identity and nationality of passengers through passports. For citizens of third countries, it will also be necessary to check the corresponding visa or residence permit.