Spain and Italy impose reciprocal border checks in Ceuta migrant row

On August 7, 2026, Spain announced immediate border controls on travelers from Italy, and Italy defied Spanish demands to lift border curbs, escalating a migration dispute over the Ceuta crisis. The reciprocal measures, involving Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez and Italian Prime Minister Meloni, have led to a historic fracture within Europe. Both countries are imposing checks on travelers from each other, affecting cross-border movement. The dispute centers on how to handle the migrant situation in Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa.