Italy invoked Article 25 of the Schengen Borders Code on 31 July 2026, temporarily reinstating identity checks on all air and maritime routes arriving from Spain. The measure, announced by the Interior Ministry in Rome, is linked to a sharp increase in irregular crossings via Spain’s Ceuta and Melilla enclaves. The initial suspension runs for ten days, meaning it covers the first week of August.
What this means at Italian airports and ports
Passengers landing on direct flights from Barcelona, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca, Seville, and other Spanish airports will face a passport or national identity card check on arrival. Intra-EU travellers who only carry a boarding pass without a travel document may be turned back at the gate in Spain before departure, so carry a valid passport even for short flights.
Ferry services between Barcelona and Civitavecchia, and the Valencia–Genova route, are operating but with document inspections added at embarkation in Spain and at arrival in Italy. We are aware of queues of two to three hours at Civitavecchia as of the morning of 1 August; allow extra time if you have onward connections.
Eurostar and other rail services are not directly affected because there is no direct rail link between Italy and Spain.
Who is affected
- EU and Schengen passport holders travelling directly from Spain need to present a valid passport or national identity card.
- Non-EU travellers already required to present a passport at all times — no change in requirements, but expect longer processing queues.
- Transit passengers connecting through Italian airports from Spanish-origin flights should check with their airline whether processing time affects their connection minimum.
If your flight is delayed because of the new checks, you may be entitled to EU261/2004 compensation depending on the cause attributed by the carrier. See our Italy flight delay rights guide for the relevant thresholds.
What to do now
If you are flying to or from Spain via Italy in the next ten days, arrive at the airport at least 30 minutes earlier than usual. Check your airline’s app for gate-time updates and ensure your passport is in your carry-on bag, not in checked luggage.
For those planning onward travel within Italy after a Spain connection, our flights to Italy guide covers major hub airports and terminal layouts. If you are based in Rome and expecting visitors arriving via Spain, share the passport requirement with them before they travel.
The Italian government has said it will review the measure before the ten-day period expires. We will update this page if the suspension is extended or lifted early.