Italy has suspended border-free travel with Spain under the Schengen agreement, and Spain has warned it will impose entry checks on visitors unless Rome reverses the measure by Sunday.
The dispute follows the recent border rush in the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, which involved a deadly crossing. Although Italy and Spain do not share a land border, Italy's move affects all travel between the two countries.
Spain had warned Italy that it would introduce entry checks unless Rome halts its controls by the Sunday deadline. Analysts say Italy's decision is political rather than practical, given that the two countries are not directly connected by land.
The Schengen agreement ordinarily allows passport-free travel across most of the European Union. Italy's suspension of free movement with Spain is an unusual step that underlines tensions within the bloc over migration.
The exact nature of the border controls Italy has introduced was not specified in the reports, but they apply to travelers from Spain entering Italy. If Spain follows through on its warning, Italian visitors to Spain would face similar checks.
The practical impact is limited because the two countries share no land border, making the move largely symbolic. The Sunday deadline now leaves Italy to decide whether to back down or face reciprocal controls from Spain.