Franco-Spanish border policy has evolved since 2021, with several land crossings in the Pyrenees still closed to traffic in the name of security and public health. The closures were justified by Paris as necessary for keeping the Schengen zone free movement intact, initially due to the pandemic, then to counter terrorism, and later to manage secondary migration flows that begin in Spain but aim at France. The current discussion centers on reopening the remaining four crossings in Catalonia, following the reopening last autumn of five crossings further west in the Pyrenees. Diplomats from France consulted for this report indicate the shift reflects stronger police cooperation with Spain.
Cooperation on the ground has improved notably through intensified joint patrols on both sides of the border. France began reopening five border posts last autumn in the western Pyrenees. In the Mediterranean side, four openings remain under consideration, depending on the pace of joint patrols in that area as well. The five crossings reopened on the French side last autumn are Hendaye – Pont de Marchandises (Pont Avenida), Col d’Ispéguy (RD949), Les Aldudes (RD58), Port de Larrau (RD26), and La Pierre Saint-Martin (RD132).
The four crossings still reportedly closed, according to interior ministry data accessed for this article, include Col de Banyuls (closed to vehicular traffic but open to pedestrians), Enveigt- Route de la Vignole (closed), Las Llas (Col de Manrell, closed), and Puigcerdá – Chemin D’Aja, a communal route between Palau de Cerdagne and Puigcerdá (closed by the government, though local sources indicate it was clear on the panel date).
A special case remains the D’Aragnouet/Bielsa tunnel where traffic limits apply: heavy vehicles are not allowed from 22:00 to 06:00, not a border crossing restriction but a traffic control measure.
Migration policy is a central concern. Paris has long pressed for joint patrols and information sharing to curb irregular secondary migration, where people from the Maghreb or sub-Saharan Africa enter Spain with France as their intended final destination. Leaders Emmanuel Macron and Pedro Sánchez pledged in Barcelona on January 13, 2023 to combat irregular migration together, considering border controls and secondary movements. The agreement envisions binational operational units and joint operations to dismantle trafficking networks, particularly at the external frontiers and along secondary routes.
Interior Ministry officials say such units are still being formalized and that bilateral talks continue on a broader treaty framework for joint border management. The operational cooperation with France remains strong, including collaboration during major events and the work of joint police and customs centers.
Criticism over the closures has become a diplomatic irritant for Paris and Madrid. In a parliamentary session, a member of the Catalan regional party pointed to economic and safety concerns if a wildfire or other emergency required evacuation but blocked routes remained closed. The dialogue around reopening the Vinyola crossing and other local routes has drawn public debate, with regional leaders arguing the closures disrupt everyday life for residents who cross the border for work, health care, and family ties. Local voices emphasize the cross-border nature of services, including shared health facilities that serve residents on both sides of the Pyrenees.
A broader political statement from Barcelona highlights a joint commitment to preserving the Schengen space. The two governments reaffirm support for a borderless interior space within Schengen, stressing shared responsibility to maintain the project’s core values and ensure the life of border communities remains practical and secure. The declaration also notes the challenge of the Pyrenean border and cross-border living zones, with a pledge to ease daily life for inhabitants while continuing to address security and migration challenges together.