Published on
08/08/2026 - 9:21 GMT+2
A full-blown row has erupted between Rome and Madrid after the Meloni government refused to accept the Spanish cabinet's ultimatum to lift border checks for people arriving in Italy from Spain. From Saturday morning, travellers entering Spain from Italy will be subject to the same measures introduced by the government in Rome on 1 August.
According to the information available, Spanish border checks will remain in place until 7 September, while on Friday the Italian government reiterated that the suspension of the Schengen agreement will remain in force at least until 15 August.
At the height of the holiday season, with thousands of people travelling between Italy and Spain and trips already booked, Madrid's retaliatory move is likely to cause confusion at airports and ports. It is a situation which, the authorities in Madrid have complained, Spanish citizens have already experienced on arriving in Italy, where they have been subjected to the checks imposed by Rome.
