The Schengen ban with Spain has been extended by 15 days: the Interior Ministry's decision.

Air and sea border controls between Italy and Spain will remain in place for another 15 days . The decision was made by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi after discussions with the Committee for the Analysis of Immigration and Border Security. The measure was communicated to the European Commission and other Member State Interior Ministers.

According to the Interior Ministry, the extension is based on the situation in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta and the persistence of critical issues identified in previous assessments. The controls were introduced after the migration crisis that affected Ceuta and were subsequently extended.

Schengen ban with Spain extended further: the reason

The new extension of the measure applies to travelers arriving from Spain via the air and sea borders. The Italian government justified the decision by the need to continue monitoring the situation related to the Ceuta crisis and to maintain a high level of vigilance on the security front. The Ministry of the Interior also emphasized that the objective is to strengthen the protection of European borders and contribute to national security , as well as prevent and counter potential terrorist threats.

A previous assessment by the Committee had indicated the persistence of risks to internal security and possible dangers linked to terrorist infiltration.

The measure, therefore, does not involve closing the border with Spain, but rather the temporary reintroduction of checks on passengers arriving from the country.

The situation between Rome and Madrid

The extension is part of a series of measures adopted by Italy since the beginning of August, following the migration emergency that developed in Ceuta . Spain has also introduced checks on passengers arriving from Italy, in response to Rome's decision.

In recent days, Piantedosi explained that the free movement of Italian and Spanish citizens had not suffered any substantial consequences and characterized the controls as a selective tool for border protection. The new extension will last another 15 days. The measure will then be reassessed based on the border situation and the evolution of the Ceuta crisis.