Italy suspends Schengen with Spain over Ceuta migrant crisis, closes air and sea borders
Italy has officially suspended the Schengen free movement agreement with Spain. The decision follows a massive influx of migrants into the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta, which prompted the Italian government to close its air and sea borders to travelers from Spain. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, along with Deputy Prime Ministers Antonio Tajani and Matteo Salvini, announced the move on Thursday evening after an urgent assessment by the Committee for Migration Analysis and Border Security.
Italian officials frame the suspension as a vital security measure to control migration flows and mitigate perceived risks. Antonio Tajani defended the choice on social media, describing it as a necessary action to protect European borders and national security. This stance has found support among several European nations, including Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, the Czech Republic, and Sweden, with various officials citing a failure to secure the external border of the Schengen zone.
Spanish leadership has reacted with sharp opposition. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez criticized the decision, highlighting that solidarity between member states remains a fundamental requirement of the European Union. Spain’s Foreign Ministry argued that the events in Ceuta are unrelated to Spanish government policy on regularizing migrants, attributing the situation instead to criminal organizations exploiting legal interpretations. The Spanish government has summoned the Italian ambassador to Madrid to provide further clarity on the border closure.
Meanwhile, France has also moved to tighten controls along its land border with Spain. As the political debate intensifies, the situation remains fluid. The European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Magnus Brunner, noted that special provisions in the Schengen Borders Code apply to Ceuta and Melilla, emphasizing that checks on individuals leaving these enclaves remain a standard protocol. The move reflects growing friction within the Union over migration management and border integrity as countries prepare for upcoming political cycles.