European media is actively spreading claims that Italy has unilaterally suspended the Schengen Agreement with Spain. As of July 31, 2026, there is no official confirmation of this: borders between the two countries remain open, and citizen movement continues under normal conditions. However, these rumors did not arise without cause — they stem from real tensions in the migration sector and the harsh rhetoric of politicians.
The Real Situation: Borders Are Open, But Debates Have Intensified
The Schengen Agreement between Italy and Spain remains in force. There have been no official announcements regarding the introduction of total passport control on flights or sea routes between Rome and Madrid. Nevertheless, the topic has become highly sensitive due to the critical situation in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in North Africa.
Ceuta is experiencing an abnormal influx of migrants attempting to breach into the European Union. Local law enforcement and military forces are operating at full capacity to contain the flow. Against this backdrop, the Italian government, led by Giorgia Meloni, has issued statements emphasizing the need to protect the Apennine Peninsula from a potential "cascade redistribution" of refugees from Spain. These concerns have sparked intense debates in Brussels but have not led to any legal steps toward closing borders.
Hybrid Campaign: How a Real Crisis Was Turned Into Fake News
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has officially warned about a coordinated campaign aimed at destabilizing Europe. According to official data, a pro-Russian media network, including the RT channel and Spanish-language platforms, has launched a large-scale information attack. Over 1,500 publications have been recorded that intentionally exaggerate the scale of the crisis in Ceuta.
Experts note that claims about the "collapse of Schengen" and "Italy closing its borders" are part of a psychological operation. The goal of this campaign is to create an illusion of division within the EU and to radicalize public opinion in Spain and Italy. Additionally, analysts point out an attempt to divert Western leaders' attention from other critical events, such as the de facto naval blockade of Odessa ports or incidents involving the destruction of defense facilities.
Legal Aspect: When Can Border Control Be Implemented?
According to Articles 25 and 28 of the Schengen Borders Code, member states do have the right to temporarily reintroduce border controls in cases of serious threats to public security. Italy has already applied this practice in the past, for example, at its border with Slovenia. However, in the case of Spain, which shares no land border with Italy, implementing total control over air and sea hubs requires solid legal grounds and official notification to the European Commission. To date, no such notifications have been received, and transit continues under standard procedures.
