France reinforces controls at border with Spain: what changes for travellers?
It follows the arrival from Morocco of around 60,000 migrants into the Spanish territory of Ceuta
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France has announced reinforced checks at its border with Spain after around 60,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta by sea and by land in recent days. At least 67 are reported to have died while trying to cross, mainly by drowning.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said on July 31 that he had ordered border controls to be strengthened “without delay”.
This involves increased police and gendarmerie deployments, enhanced drone surveillance, three police aircraft for aerial monitoring, and additional patrols on trains linking France and Spain.
Spanish authorities say that around 48,000 migrants have already returned to Morocco and that none have travelled onwards into mainland Spain or the wider Schengen area.
Ceuta has a special status within the Schengen area, with existing border checks separating it from mainland Spain, meaning reaching the enclave does not, by itself, grant migrants a route into the wider Schengen area.
In a message posted on X, Mr Nuñez said: “Faced with the situation observed in Ceuta, I gave instructions last night to immediately reinforce controls at the Spanish border. I am also activating the Force Frontière d'intervention rapide [Rapid Intervention Border Force] for in-depth checks."
Face à la situation constatée dans l’enclave de Ceuta, j’ai, dès hier soir, donné des instructions pour renforcer sans attendre les contrôles à la frontière espagnole. Par ailleurs, j’active la Force Frontière d’intervention rapide pour des contrôles en profondeur.
— Laurent Nuñez (@NunezLaurent) July 31, 2026
In an interview with RTL, he said France has permanent mobile police units operating along the Franco-Spanish border and that these would be reinforced.
France has maintained temporary internal border controls under the Schengen rules since the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks. The latest announcement, though, does not close the border or suspend free movement, but increases the intensity of checks.
Political pressure grows
The situation in Ceuta has prompted calls across Europe for tighter migration controls.
Italy announced a temporary suspension of the Schengen free movement regime on air and maritime connections with Spain. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the measure as an "extraordinary" step to safeguard national security and said it would remain in place only for as long as necessary.
Il Governo ha deciso di sospendere temporaneamente il regime di libera circolazione previsto da Schengen nei collegamenti marittimi e aerei con la Spagna, reintroducendo i controlli di frontiera.
— Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) July 31, 2026
Si tratta di una misura straordinaria, adottata per tutelare la sicurezza nazionale… pic.twitter.com/bpszoG8soX
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the scenes in Ceuta "unacceptable", saying the EU "cannot allow anyone to come without abiding by our rules". She said the commission was working with Spain and Morocco and stood ready to provide additional support through Frontex, the EU agency responsible for controlling Schengen’s external borders.
The images coming from Ceuta are unacceptable.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 31, 2026
We cannot allow anyone to come to our Union without abiding by our rules.
Dangerous crossings must stop immediately. Smuggling networks must be dismantled. And returns must be swift, as our rules allow.
I tasked two Commissioners…
In France, the issue immediately entered the presidential campaign, with 2027 candidate Marine Le Pen of the Rassemblement national (RN) calling on the government to reinforce controls at the French-Spanish border “without delay”, saying the arrivals have been “encouraged by the Spanish government”.
Face aux entrées massives et coordonnées de migrants en Espagne, encouragées par le gouvernement espagnol, la France doit sans délai renforcer les contrôles à ses frontières. Et en 2027, nous stopperons cette folie en réservant la libre-circulation Schengen aux nationaux de l'UE.
— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) July 31, 2026
She also repeated her proposal to reserve Schengen free movement for EU nationals if elected president in 2027.
Former prime minister Édouard Philippe, also a presidential candidate, called for France to strengthen controls at the Spanish border immediately, and argued that the wider response should remain coordinated at European level through Frontex and cooperation between EU governments.
What does it mean for people travelling from Spain to France?
The French-Spanish border remains open and there has been no announcement of any new restrictions on legal travel between France and Spain.
However, travellers should expect more frequent police and identify checks, especially in major road crossings between the countries.
Motorists may see an increased police presence near the border and could be stopped for roadside identity checks. Trains and buses may also be stopped for additional inspections, meaning people should be prepared for journeys to take longer as a result, particularly during the busy summer holiday period.
Anyone travelling between Spain and France should ensure they have the correct documents with them.
This includes a valid passport, a valid carte de séjour for residents, including Withdrawal Agreement residency cards where applicable, as police may ask to see proof of identity and, for residents, evidence of their right to reside in France during checks.
