A significant diplomatic disagreement has emerged between Rome and Madrid after the government led by Giorgia Meloni declined a request from the Spanish cabinet to remove border restrictions for travellers arriving in Italy from Spain. In a retaliatory measure, Spain has announced that it will implement identical border checks for those entering the country from Italy, effective from the morning of Saturday, 8 August.
These new Spanish border protocols are scheduled to remain in effect until 7 September. Meanwhile, the Italian government confirmed on Friday that its own suspension of the Schengen agreement will persist at least until 15 August. Spanish authorities have expressed frustration over the situation, noting that their own citizens have already been facing these Italian-imposed checks when traveling to Italy.
The Spanish government stated that checks will apply to all individuals arriving from Italy by air, sea, or land starting from midnight on Saturday. European Union nationals will be required to present valid identity documentation, while non-EU citizens must also provide a residence permit or visa. Italian citizens are permitted to use a passport or an electronic national identity card (CIE); however, paper identity cards have been deemed invalid for travel purposes since 3 August 2026.
The introduction of these checks is expected to result in potential delays and queues, particularly at major transport hubs in Madrid and Barcelona. At airports, officials may conduct inspections at boarding or arrival gates, while sea travel checks could occur during embarkation or disembarkation. Travelers entering by car through France may also be subject to document inspections at the French-Spanish border.
Families traveling with children must ensure that minors carry their own identity documents. In Italy, these documents are valid for three years for children up to age three and for five years for those up to 18; additionally, children under 14 are prohibited from traveling alone. For pet owners, an EU pet passport issued by a veterinarian is mandatory, along with microchip identification and proof of a valid rabies vaccination.
