Spain's Border Checks on Italy Threaten Summer Travel for Inland Umbria

Spain has announced it will introduce temporary border checks on visitors from Italy in response to Rome imposing similar measures after a mass rush of people from Morocco into Ceuta, The Guardian reported. The checks come amid a rare spat between the two EU nations over migration policy.

Italy introduced border controls following an influx of about 78,000 migrants from Morocco into the neighbouring Spanish exclave of Ceuta, the BBC reported. The move suspended the free-travel Schengen agreement for up to one month, prompting Spain to warn of countermeasures if Rome did not lift the checks by Sunday.

Italy's government says it will continue its temporary suspension of Schengen until at least Aug. 15, Politico Europe reported, rejecting Spain's ultimatum. Spain had warned Italy it would impose entry checks on visitors unless Rome halts its controls by Sunday, according to Deutsche Welle.