‘A torpedo’: Italy-Spain border blow-up now a major headache for Europe – and Australian travellers

August 8, 2026 — 11:38am

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London: A sudden move has deepened a border dispute between Spain and Italy that could delay thousands of travellers moving between the countries – and erode a pivotal agreement on passport checks across Europe.

Spain has called on Italy to lift border controls that it imposed last week following a rush of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

Italy has refused to relent after being given a Sunday deadline to drop its additional controls, and Spain has retaliated with measures of its own.

The result is the rapid imposition of passport checks on many travellers moving directly between the two countries – something not seen in decades.

Tempers are running hot. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares described the Italian border policy as “a torpedo fired at the hull of European unity”. Speaking on Friday in Europe (Friday night, AEST), he said that Madrid was prepared to respond with a tough approach of its own. Hours later, it did just that.

This is now a major headache for the European Union. And travellers from Australia.

Italy has suspended the usual rules for travellers from outside the European Union who arrive from Spain, declaring that it needs the stronger safeguards until at least August 15.

Spain has decided to do the same for those who arrive from Italy. This applies from midnight on Saturday – 8am on Sunday, AEST – at Spanish borders.........

© Brisbane Times