Madrid: Spain has extended temporary border controls on travellers arriving from Italy by air and sea for another 15 days, with the measures now set to remain in force until September 22.

The Spanish Ministry of the Interior said the extension will take effect from 12:00 am on September 8 until midnight on September 22, citing the continued existence of circumstances posing a serious threat to public order and internal security.

The controls apply to people arriving at Spanish airports and ports on passenger flights and maritime services originating from Italy.

Spain initially reinstated the temporary internal border controls on August 8 for a period of 30 days, with the original measure due to expire on September 7. The government said the decision was linked to concerns over migration flows and the risk of secondary movements of third-country nationals within the Schengen area.

According to the latest order, the measures will be kept under continuous assessment and may be lifted before September 22 if the circumstances that prompted their introduction no longer exist or can be addressed through less restrictive measures.

The Interior Ministry also stressed that the controls cannot be extended automatically beyond September 22. Any further continuation would require a new, reasoned decision based on an updated assessment of its necessity and proportionality under the Schengen Borders Code.

The move comes amid continuing tensions over migration within the Schengen area. Italy has also maintained controls involving travellers arriving from Spain following the recent migration crisis in Ceuta, with both countries citing concerns over the onward movement of irregular migrants.