Italy extends Schengen suspension with Spain for 15 days after Ceuta crisis

The decision of the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, came after the meeting of the Analysis Committee for Immigration and Border Security. Air and sea border controls therefore remain active. The decision is based on "the current situation in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta and, in particular, the continuation of the critical issues already encountered"

Border controls with Spain remain in force. This was decided by the Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, after having heard the Analysis Committee for Immigration and Border Security, which met this morning (30 September). The extension of the Schengen suspension will last 15 days, with checks at the air and sea borders therefore remaining active. The decision is based on "the current situation in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta and, in particular, the continuation of the critical issues already encountered".

The suspension of Schengen after the Ceuta crisis and the extensions

It all started this summer, with the Ceuta migration crisis, when thousands of people irregularly entered the Spanish exclave from Morocco at the end of July. Italy had therefore decided to suspend - in the first instance - the Schengen agreement with Madrid for a month and to restore some controls in ports and airports from 1 August. After that, Rome has always extended the suspension from time to time - in August and then again in mid-September - until today. Spain has always harshly criticized the Italian government's decisions on the issue and reacted by activating the possibility of in turn carrying out checks on travelers coming from Italy in Spanish ports and airports.

In-depth analysis

Meloni: "Preserve the Schengen area only if the EU borders are defended"

How Schengen works and when it can be suspended

By the Schengen area he means a European area in which, under normal conditions, systematic checks are not carried out at the internal borders between the states that are part of it. This allows people to move from one country to another more easily and quickly, without normally having to show their passport at each border. This space includes most of the countries of the European Union, but does not completely coincide with it. In fact, some non-EU countries, such as Switzerland, Norway and Iceland, are part of the Schengen area. On the contrary, some EU countries are not part of it, such as Ireland. However, the agreement provides for controls at the external borders, while internally the free movement of people is guaranteed. However, in exceptional situations, such as serious security threats, health emergencies or particular immigration problems, a State may temporarily reintroduce internal border controls. This measure must necessarily be justified and notified to the EU. Not only that: generally speaking, it must have a limited duration. In recent years, controls have been reintroduced several times in the Schengen area. It happened mainly due to terrorist attacks and measures taken during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In-depth analysis

How many times was the Schengen area "suspended" in the 2000s?