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Italy suspends Schengen with Spain, shaking Europe's free movement area
The entry of around 50,000 irregular migrants into Spain's Ceuta has plunged the Schengen area, a cornerstone of the European Union, into crisis. Italy's suspension of Schengen with Spain, along with tightened border controls by France and Portugal, has raised a $45 billion risk threatening European tourism.
The European Union's free movement area, Schengen, is facing a serious test due to a mass migration wave into Spain's Ceuta. After around 50,000 irregular migrants entered the city, Italy announced it was suspending Schengen with Spain and introduced temporary border checks for those arriving by air and sea.
This step was followed by France increasing checks on its border with Spain and Portugal tightening security measures on its southern border. The developments have reopened the debate on the delicate balance between the EU's border security and the seamless mobility that is one of the continent's greatest economic advantages.
Schengen, the backbone of European tourism
The Schengen Agreement has become one of Europe's strongest tourism products, marketed to the world. The continent is presented as a single destination where tourists can travel between dozens of cities and countries without visa or passport checks.
According to Eurostat data, the number of air passengers in the European Union rose by 4.9 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching 1.093 billion. In the last quarter of 2025 alone, EU airports served 255 million passengers. Spain topped the list with 272.1 million passengers, followed by Germany with 207.2 million and Italy with 193.3 million.
Experts point to $45.4 billion risk
Tourism and hospitality expert Abdüsselam Ali el-Kiyali said that the suspension debate coinciding with the summer holiday season could have a major psychological impact on travelers. Most visitors from Gulf countries and distant markets plan multi-country itineraries relying on the ease of movement within the Schengen area.
Tourism expert Eymen el-Kudve stressed that multi-destination travel is one of Europe's most important draws. El-Kudve said that land tourism by bus and private car would be most affected by any prolonged border restrictions.
A study by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed that long waits at Schengen borders directly affect travel decisions. According to the research, if waiting times regularly reach 3 to 4 hours, up to 41 million tourist visits and $45.4 billion in tourism spending could be at risk.
In a survey of more than 2,500 travelers from the UK, US, Canada and Australia, around 33 percent of respondents said their willingness to visit Europe would decrease if long queues became permanent. 65 percent supported the new European entry-exit system, and 87 percent said they were prepared to tolerate some congestion if it would facilitate future travel.
Will temporary measures lead to permanent problems?
Economist Kamil es-Sari said European countries are aware that tourism accounts for around 12 percent of gross domestic product in some economies and are therefore careful to ensure that security measures do not become a permanent barrier to travel.
Eymen el-Kudve predicted that as long as the current measures are temporary and clearly defined, the economic impact will remain limited, but if the practice continues or spreads, tour operators may have to redesign their programs. Abdüsselam Ali el-Kiyali stressed that scenarios of Spain leaving Schengen or the agreement collapsing are unrealistic, because Schengen is part of the integrated European system.
Kamil es-Sari argued that the sustainable solution lies in the widespread adoption of biometric passports, smart gates and artificial intelligence technologies.
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