Italy and Spain end border checks on flights and ferries between them

Italy and Spain will not extend the border checks they have run since August on flights and ferries between the two countries. Spain's checks ended at 24:00 on 22 October 2026. Italy's last day is 23 October 2026, the end of its last notified period, and Italy will not renew them.

The two interior ministers, Matteo Piantedosi and Fernando Grande-Marlaska, agreed on 22 October that the Schengen suspensions in force in the two countries "will not be extended further" (our translation of the Italian Interior Ministry release). The Italian Interior Ministry says the two police services will share more information as part of the decision.

What is ending

Italy Spain

What was checked Air and sea arrivals from Spain Flights and ships whose last departure point was in Italy

Started 1 August 2026 8 August 2026

Last day 23 October 2026 (last notified period 16 to 23 October) 22 October 2026, until 24:00 (Orden INT/846/2026, as extended)

Renewal None. Ministry statement of 22 October None. The Spanish order lifts the checks automatically at the end of the period

Italy brought in the checks on 1 August. Spain started checks on arrivals from Italy a week later. Both countries renewed their checks several times. From Saturday 24 October, the European Commission list should show no checks between the two.

What does not change

Travel documents. Passengers still need a valid passport or national ID card on these routes. Airlines ask for one at boarding.

Non-EU travellers. Inside Schengen, they must still carry their passport and, where needed, a valid Schengen visa or residence permit. Police can still carry out spot checks inside each country.

Other internal border checks. France has checks at all its internal borders, including with Spain and Italy, until 31 October 2026. It has notified a new period from 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027. Italy keeps checks on its land border with Slovenia, and several other Schengen countries also have checks on some borders. Check the European Commission's list of notified border controls for current dates.

EES. The Entry/Exit System applies at Schengen external borders only. Flights between Spain and Italy are internal and do not involve EES registration.

What travel sellers should do

OTAs

From 24 October, remove any "expect passport checks on arrival" notice on Spain to Italy and Italy to Spain flights and ferries.

Keep the standard reminder that every passenger travels with a valid ID card or passport.

For non-EU customers, keep the line about carrying their passport and visa or residence permit for the whole trip, not just the first entry.

TMCs

Corporate travellers on Madrid, Barcelona, Rome and Milan routes should no longer queue for document checks at the arrival gate. Travel policies that added time for these checks can drop it.

Itineraries that continue into France still go through French internal border checks.

Airlines and ferry operators

Boarding document checks do not change. Keep asking for a valid ID or passport.

Remove any arrival-check warnings from pre-departure emails and app notices on Spain-Italy routes.

How SimpleVisa handles it

This change does not affect visa requirements. Schengen visa rules for Spain and Italy are the same as before the checks. If your passenger messages mention arrival checks on Spain-Italy routes, update them from 24 October and keep the ID reminder.

FAQ

Are there still passport checks on flights between Spain and Italy? No systematic checks from 24 October 2026. Spain's ended at 24:00 on 22 October, and Italy's last day is 23 October. Neither country will renew them.

Do passengers still need an ID card or passport? Yes. Airlines ask for a valid ID document at boarding. Non-EU travellers must still carry their passport and visa or residence permit inside Schengen.

Why were the checks introduced? Italy brought them in on 1 August 2026. Spain introduced checks on arrivals from Italy on 8 August.

Does this end checks on trips from Spain or Italy to France? No. France keeps checks at its internal borders with Spain and Italy, with a new period notified from 1 November 2026 to 30 April 2027.

Does this change any visa requirement? No. Schengen visa rules for Spain and Italy are unchanged.

Operational guidance for travel sellers, not legal advice. Updated 23 October 2026.

Sources

Ministero dell'Interno, "Italia e Spagna, stop alla proroga delle sospensioni di Schengen", 22 October 2026 verified 23 Oct 2026 · BOE, Orden INT/846/2026 of 7 August 2026, with extensions up to 24:00 on 22 October 2026 (Orden INT/1033/2026) verified 23 Oct 2026 · European Commission, Temporary reintroduction of border control (list of notifications) verified 23 Oct 2026

Loris Mazloum

Founder, SimpleVisa

Loris Mazloum founded SimpleVisa and writes the coverage notes on this blog for airlines, OTAs, and other travel companies. Each note is checked against the government source named at the bottom before it publishes. SimpleVisa keeps requirement data for 190+ destinations and files applications where a government channel exists.