Travelling between Spain and Italy? The extra border checks could soon end

Passengers stepping off flights and ferries between Spain and Italy have faced random ID checks since the summer, and the two prime ministers have now agreed to work towards ending them. For now, though, the checks are still very much in place.

The checks aren’t going anywhere this week 

Anyone flying or sailing between Spain and Italy can still be stopped for checks. Spain’s current order runs until midnight on Thursday October 22, and Italy has renewed its own checks for another week to match, which Spanish reports put at Friday October 23.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Giorgia Meloni agreed on Thursday October 15 to work towards removing them, according to Spanish government sources, after talking on the sidelines of the European Council summit in Brussels.

However, nothing has been scrapped yet and no date has been given for the checks to disappear.

Random ID checks on arrival in both directions

Spain’s order covers passenger flights and ferry links arriving from Italy, while Italy checks people arriving from Spain, including at Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa and Linate airports. Flights and ferries are still running as normal, as the checks aren’t a ban on travel.

At airports the checks have been random rather than for every passenger. EU citizens have been asked to prove their identity, while non-EU nationals have also had to show a residence permit or visa. 

That includes Brits, so as EWN has reported, it’s worth keeping your passport and Spanish residency card (if you have one) somewhere easy to reach.

Why the row started over Ceuta 

The dispute dates back to a mass arrival of migrants in Ceuta (the Spanish city in North Africa) in late July. Italy brought in checks on arrivals from Spain on August 1, citing security risks, and Spain hit back with checks of its own on arrivals from Italy a week later.

EU institutions reportedly found no sign of migrants moving from Ceuta to mainland Europe, which is one reason the checks have been criticised in both countries.

Interior ministers Fernando Grande-Marlaska and Matteo Piantedosi are now due to discuss alternative cooperation measures, although the details haven’t been published.

What could change for passengers

Scrapping the checks would remove an extra layer for anyone travelling between the two countries, which should make those journeys simpler. However, no figures have been published on delays or queues, so it’s too early to promise shorter waits. 

Spain’s order can’t be extended automatically either, so a new, reasoned decision would be needed to keep the checks after October 22.

Until the governments confirm something, anyone flying or sailing between Spain and Italy should keep their ID to hand and allow a little extra time.