Italy-Spain Border Controls Extended Until October 7: What Airlines and Shipping Companies Must Do

Key data

Passengers and transport operators on routes between Italy and Spain have been subject to additional border controls since August 8, 2026. The Order INT/977/2026, published on September 19 in the BOE, extends this situation for the third consecutive time: controls remain active from September 23 to October 7, 2026.

The measure, supported by articles 25 and 26 of the Schengen Borders Code, allows member states to temporarily restore controls at internal borders when there is a serious threat to public order or internal security. Spain has activated this mechanism at air and maritime borders with respect to flights and passenger maritime links from the Italian Republic.

What does this regulation establish?

Order INT/977/2026 extends the temporary restoration of controls at Spanish internal air and maritime borders for passengers from Italy. In practice, this means that any flight or passenger maritime link originating in Italy that arrives in Spain is subject to additional inspections at the point of arrival.

These controls include document verification and may involve additional reviews of travelers, something that under normal conditions does not occur within the Schengen area, where free movement eliminates controls at internal borders.

Key aspects established by the regulation:

• The application period for this extension is September 23 to October 7, 2026.
• Controls apply exclusively to passenger flights and maritime links from Italy; they do not affect cargo transport.
• A permanent assessment of the situation is maintained: if the threats justifying the measure disappear, controls may be lifted before October 7.
• There is no automatic extension: if the Ministry of Interior considers it necessary to extend controls beyond October 7, it must issue a new reasoned order.
• The measure falls within the European legal framework, specifically articles 25 and 26 of the Schengen Borders Code.

Economic and operational impact

For airlines and shipping companies operating routes between Italy and Spain, the main consequence is operational: additional document controls at the point of arrival can extend disembarkation and passenger processing times, which in turn can generate:

• Delays in aircraft and vessel rotation, with impact on subsequent flights and crossings.
• Increased workload on the ground for handling personnel and airport and port authorities.
• Need for proactive communication to passengers to manage expectations and avoid complaints.
• Possible additional costs if delays generate passenger compensation under Regulation (EC) 261/2004, although this will depend on whether the delay is attributable to extraordinary circumstances.

For passengers, the impact is direct: they must allow for additional time in arrival controls and ensure they carry proper documentation (valid passport or ID), as temporary Schengen controls involve identity verification and, where applicable, review of entry conditions.

Who is affected?

• Airlines operating passenger flights originating in Italy and destined for Spanish airports.
• Shipping companies and ferry operators with passenger maritime links between Italian and Spanish ports.
• Airport and port managers who must coordinate additional controls with security authorities.
• Handling companies at affected airports and ports.
• Individual and business travelers using flights or maritime routes from Italy to Spain between September 23 and October 7, 2026.
• Travel agencies and tour operators managing groups or tourist packages on these routes.

Cargo transport, cargo flights, and road or rail travel between the two countries are not affected.

Practical example

A low-cost airline operates five daily flights between Rome Fiumicino and Barcelona-El Prat airport. From September 23 to October 7, 2026, each of those flights is subject to additional document controls upon arrival in Barcelona.

In practice, this means that border security personnel must review the documentation of all passengers on board before they leave the arrivals area. If a flight carries 180 passengers and the control adds an average of 3-5 minutes per passenger in queue, the total processing time can extend by 30 to 60 minutes compared to a normal Schengen operation.

For the airline, this delay can affect aircraft rotation: if the aircraft has a return flight to Rome scheduled in less than 90 minutes, the delay in disembarkation can carry over to the next flight. The airline must assess whether to communicate this risk to passengers and whether to temporarily adjust minimum connection times on its affected flights.

What should companies do now?

1. Review affected flights and maritime routes between September 23 and October 7, 2026 to identify which ones operate with origin in Italy and arrive at Spanish airports or ports.
2. Inform passengers proactively about the existence of additional document controls upon arrival, recommending they carry proper documentation and allow for longer processing times.
3. Coordinate with airport and port managers to reinforce personnel in control areas to minimize impact on rotation times.
4. Review minimum connection times on affected flights and assess whether temporary adjustments are necessary to prevent delays in controls from causing mass connection losses.
5. Monitor the evolution of the measure: controls may be lifted before October 7 if the threats justifying them disappear, or may be extended through a new order if they persist. It is advisable to stay alert to new BOE publications.
6. Assess the risk of passenger compensation under Regulation (EC) 261/2004 in case of significant delays, and consult with the legal department if border controls can be considered "extraordinary circumstances" for exemption purposes.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-19485