Ceuta: Spain under pressure as Italy suspends Schengen deal

Several EU governments have urged Spain to take control of its border following the mass intrusion in Ceuta. Meanwhile, Madrid said scores were killed in the border push. Follow DW for more.

Italy said Friday it had suspended its Schengen agreement with Spain, following the influx of migrants into Madrid's Ceuta enclave in north Africa, bordering Morocco.

The Italian government said the decision was taken after thousands of migrants crossed into Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco. Although Spain later said most of those who entered had voluntarily returned, Rome argued that the crisis exposed the need for tighter border controls. Unlike neighbouring countries, Italy does n

The Italian government on Friday imposed border checks with Spain in response to an influx of tens of thousands of migrants in the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta.  The move will impact flights and maritime transport and temporarily suspends Spain’s Schengen border-free rights, an agreement that allows citizens

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the measure was adopted to safeguard national security and prevent  “possible repercussions on our nations.”

Far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the one-month suspension an “extraordinary measure”.

On Thursday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called for Spain to be suspended from the Schengen area, describing the images from Ceuta showing thousands of arriving migrants as "shocking".

Italy said on Friday it ⁠was suspending the EU’s ⁠border-free Schengen arrangements with Spain for one month in ⁠response to a mass influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco. Italy does not share a land border with Spain but the measure – which looks certain to anger Madrid – will ‌

Italy suspends Schengen agreement with Spain: foreign minister  Dawn

Italy suspends EU Schengen free-travel pact with Spain over Ceuta crisis  Reuters

The temporary suspension of the Schengen agreement was prompted by concerns over the migrant crisis in Ceuta.

Italy suspends Schengen free-travel deal with Spain after 'migrant invasion' in Ceuta  GB News

Italy has issued a statement. 17:14, Fri, Jul 31, 2026 Updated: 17:29, Fri, Jul 31, 2026 Spain Morocco border (Image: Getty)Italy has suspended the Schengen agreement with Spain after 60,000 migrants broke into Spanish territory.The Italian Ministry of the Interior has ordered the closure of the sea and air borders wit