Italy extends Schengen suspension with Spain for an additional 15 days to prevent a renewed influx of migrants

Italy announced the extension of its suspension of the Schengen Agreement with Spain, which has been in effect since early August, for an additional 15 days due to the influx of migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta.

In a statement yesterday, the Italian Ministry of Interior said: “The decision was taken based on the assessment conducted by the Migration and Border Security Analysis Committee, and given the continued factors that initially prompted the reimposition of this exceptional measure on August 1, 2026, for a period of one month.”

Rome clarified that the decision was made “taking into account the initiatives undertaken by Spain so far in cooperation with the European Union, to allow the situation in the region to return to normal soon.”

For his part, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that his government continues its investigation to determine what happened a month after the influx of approximately 70,000 migrants from Morocco into the Spanish enclave in North Africa.

About 70,000 migrants crossed the border between Morocco and the enclave of Ceuta a month ago, on foot and by swimming.

While the majority of these migrants have been returned, around 5,000 remain in Ceuta, including approximately 1,200 unaccompanied minors, according to Sánchez, speaking on Cadena SER radio. Local authorities, however, claim that 10,000 migrants are still in the Spanish enclave.

According to official figures, at least 91 people died in the incident.