New Delhi: Indian tourists planning trips to Europe, particularly those travelling from Punjab to Italy and Spain, should be prepared for additional border checks after the two countries extended temporary inspection measures.
Italy has extended its temporary suspension of routine border-free travel with Spain by another week, while Spain has decided to continue checks on travellers arriving from Italy until October 22.
Travellers will need to be prepared for identity and travel-document checks even if they hold a valid Schengen visa. The move does not mean that Schengen visas have been cancelled or that all borders across the Schengen area have been closed.
According to a Reuters report, Italy introduced the measure after a large number of migrants arrived in Ceuta, a Spanish territory in North Africa, towards the end of July. The Italian government has raised concerns that the presence of thousands of people who entered the territory irregularly could pose an internal security risk, including the possibility of terrorist infiltration.
Spain, however, has criticised Italy’s decision as unjustified and discriminatory towards its people.
The two countries’ interior ministers are expected to hold talks in the coming days to discuss ending the border checks and exploring other ways to strengthen cooperation.
Under normal circumstances, travellers can move between countries in the Schengen area without undergoing routine passport checks at internal borders. However, member states can temporarily reintroduce checks in response to specific security concerns.
The current measures apply to travel between Italy and Spain and do not amount to a general closure of Schengen borders. Travellers should carry valid passports and relevant visa documents and allow extra time for possible inspections.
