EU governments in the passport-free Schengen zone would be able to reimpose border controls when faced with extraordinary flows of migrants, under new European Commission proposals.
The Commission stressed that such border checks should be temporary.
The move reflects concern about the arrival in Italy this year of about 25,000 illegal migrants from North Africa, most of them Tunisians.
Most EU countries are in the 25-nation Schengen zone.
Only a threat to public order is currently seen as justification for reimposing border controls.
The rule changes will be discussed by EU interior ministers on 12 May and are expected to be finalised at an EU summit next month.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13277695
Note: 4 May 2011 Last updated at 12:00 GMT