Story perspectives

Italy, Spain End Reciprocal Border Checks After Deal

By Drooid · Oct 22, 2026, 3:10 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Italy and Spain agreed to end reciprocal border checks, lifting the Schengen suspension between them.
Italy reintroduced checks on 1 August after more than 70,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta.
Prime Ministers Giorgia Meloni and Pedro Sánchez signaled ending checks on the European Council sidelines on Oct. 15.
The two governments will increase information-sharing to safeguard the Schengen area after lifting the checks.

History

Historical Context

In 2015, the European migrant crisis prompted the European Commission to activate temporary internal border controls across Schengen. Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel authorized 2,000 additional border guards, while Frontex reported 1.3 million arrivals in the EU that year. Similarly, Italy’s August 2023 re-imposition of checks after 70,000 migrants entered Ceuta mirrors the 2015 emergency measures aimed at curbing irregular flows. The 2024 Italy-Spain decision to lift checks reflects the EU’s ongoing struggle to balance free movement with security, echoing past attempts to restore Schengen cohesion.

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Story summary

Italy and Spain agreed to end reciprocal border checks, lifting the Schengen suspension between them.
Italy reintroduced checks on 1 August after more than 70,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta.
Prime Ministers Giorgia Meloni and Pedro Sánchez signaled ending checks on the European Council sidelines on Oct. 15.
The two governments will increase information-sharing to safeguard the Schengen area after lifting the checks.

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