Finnish and Danish support for Italy's proposal to exclude Spain from Schengen

Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah: 

Both announced Finland Denmark, on Friday, July 31, 2026, endorsed an Italian proposal to exclude Spain from the Schengen Area, following the influx of tens of thousands of irregular migrants from Morocco to the city of Ceuta, in a notable development reflecting escalating tensions within the European Union regarding the issue of irregular migration.

The stance comes after a growing wave of criticism of Madrid's policies in managing its external borders, amid European concerns about escalating security and humanitarian repercussions.

Spain is failing to protect its borders

Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantan said that Spain «has completely failed to protect the external borders of the Schengen Area from infiltration,» stressing that «the continuation of this situation is unacceptable in light of the member states» obligations to protect common borders.”.

Rantan added that countries that do not fulfill their obligations to secure external borders "should not remain within the Schengen Area," calling on the rest of the European countries to support the proposal led by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The move reflects a growing division within the European Union over how to deal with migration crises, at a time when pressure is mounting on southern European countries, particularly Spain and Italy, as key gateways for migrants entering the continent.

If the escalation turns into formal measures, it could open the door to a complex political and legal crisis within the Union, given the sensitivity of Schengen membership and its direct impact on freedom of movement between European countries.

In recent days, the border between Morocco and Ceuta has witnessed intense pressure from migrants, most of whom are young people and minors. Local authorities reported that more than 1,000 migrants managed to enter Ceuta during the past week, while the swimming route continues to claim victims, with 4 bodies being found in one day.

Local media reported that hundreds of young people managed to enter the city of Ceuta, despite the efforts made by both the Moroccan and Spanish sides to deter such attempts over the course of several days.

For its part, the Moroccan authorities prevent dozens of migrants from completing the journey daily, especially at sea. The authorities also resort to moving dozens of young people from northern cities to distant cities to deter them from attempting the journey, which provokes widespread human rights and societal condemnation.