Several European Union member states are calling for tougher action after around 60,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in what officials describe as the largest single-day surge of irregular arrivals ever recorded on EU territory.

The unprecedented influx has prompted renewed debate over border security within the Schengen free-movement area, with Italy, Finland and Denmark urging stronger measures against Spain, including discussions about temporarily suspending its participation in the passport-free travel zone.

Italy moved first by restoring air and maritime border checks with Spain on Friday following a meeting led by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced what she described as “extraordinary measures” aimed at protecting Italy’s borders in response to the situation.

Finland’s Interior Minister Mari Rantanen backed Italy’s position and encouraged other EU countries to support the proposal. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also suggested that the option should be considered, while several centre-right political figures across Europe voiced similar concerns.

Despite the growing political pressure, there is currently no indication that the European Commission plans to begin the formal process required to suspend Spain from the Schengen system.

Under the Schengen Borders Code, such a step is regarded as a measure of last resort and can only be considered in cases involving persistent and serious shortcomings in protecting the EU’s external borders. Any proposal would have to be initiated by the European Commission before receiving approval from EU member states.

European Commission officials stressed that regular evaluations of member states’ border management continue and that any concerns are first discussed directly with the country involved.

Officials also pointed out that the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla operate under special Schengen arrangements. Although they are part of Spain, both territories are treated differently under free-movement rules, meaning border controls already exist between the enclaves and the rest of the Schengen area.

“There is already border control between Ceuta and Melilla and the rest of the Schengen area,” an EU official said.

The Schengen rules also allow individual member states to temporarily restore border checks with another Schengen country for periods of up to six months if security concerns arise. Italy has introduced such controls for an initial one-month period.

France already maintains border checks along all of its land frontiers, citing security concerns that include terrorism threats, antisemitic incidents and migrant-related violence. Following the developments in Ceuta, French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez announced tighter monitoring at the Spanish border.

Portugal, Spain’s only neighbouring EU country connected by land, has not introduced additional controls. Portuguese authorities said the integrity of the Schengen area depends on effective protection of the bloc’s external borders while stopping short of announcing new restrictions.

The situation in Ceuta has placed renewed focus on migration management across Europe, with governments weighing border security measures against the principles of free movement that underpin the Schengen system.