MADRID — Spain has imposed border controls on all air and sea travel from Italy for a month, starting at midnight (22:00 GMT), amidst an intensifying dispute between the two EU nations.

The counter-measures follow Italy's decision a week earlier to suspend the border-free Schengen arrangement for third-country nationals arriving from Spain. Italy took action after approximately 78,000 migrants from Morocco entered the Spanish exclave of Ceuta.

Key details of the situation include:

Spain's Controls: Includes passport, nationality, and visa checks for passengers arriving from Italy, lasting until September 7 unless circumstances change. Italy's Position: Rome refused Spain's demand to lift checks by Sunday, stating restrictions will remain until at least August 15 due to anticipated migration waves and security risks.

Exemptions and Impact: Spanish citizens are exempt from extra checks in Italy, though El Pais reported long airport queues; Italian officials stated local authorities are ensuring maximum comfort for travelers. The political crisis pits Spain's socialist leader Pedro Sanchez against Italy's conservative leader Giorgia Meloni.

Madrid dismissed Rome's arguments, stating migrants entering Ceuta have no way of entering the Schengen area, while Rome stated it would not accept ultimatums.