Spain has called on Italy to remove border checks affecting Spanish travellers within the next two days, escalating a diplomatic disagreement over movement within the Schengen area.
Spanish officials say the additional controls at Italian entry points are creating unnecessary delays and uncertainty for citizens crossing for tourism, work, and family reasons. They argue that the checks go against the principle of free movement and are disproportionate given current cooperation on security and information sharing between the two countries.
The Spanish government has formally requested that Italy lift the measures immediately, setting a 48-hour deadline for a response. Diplomats from Madrid have stressed that continued checks could damage bilateral relations and set a concerning precedent for intra-EU travel.
Italian authorities have not yet confirmed whether they will comply, but sources indicate the border controls were introduced as a temporary precaution linked to specific security concerns. Italian officials maintain that any decision will be based on ongoing risk assessments and coordination with EU institutions.
The dispute comes at a busy time for summer travel, with thousands of Spanish tourists heading to Italy. The European Commission is monitoring the situation closely, as any prolonged restrictions could raise broader questions about how Schengen rules are applied during periods of heightened alert.
