The UK has reached a deal with the EU over Gibraltar’s border with Spain that will allow travellers to cross by land without checks. The agreement on a “fluid border” clears the way to finalise a post-Brexit deal on the territory with the EU.
But those flying into Gibraltar from the UK will face one check from Gibraltarian officials and another by the Spanish on behalf of the EU. This is because the land border will allow those arriving by air access to the European Schengen free travel area unchecked once they are in Gibraltar.
The UK and Gibraltar insisted the changes would not affect the British overseas territory’s sovereignty. The airport will operate under a model similar to London’s St Pancras station, where passengers pass through both UK and French passport checks to board international trains.
Goods and customs checks will also eventually be removed in both directions under the agreement. The move could also see airlines start to add flights to Gibraltar from countries other than the UK in a boost to tourism.
Officials say a hard border would have been introduced under the EU’s incoming exit and entry control system if no deal was reached, causing delays for some 15,000 people who cross the border every day as every individual passport was checked. Talks on rules governing the border have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the previous Tory government left behind a situation that “put Gibraltar’s economy and way of life under threat”. He said the agreement was a “breakthrough” after years of uncertainty.
He said: “Alongside the government of Gibraltar, we have reached an agreement which protects British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar’s economy and allows businesses to plan for the long-term once again. I thank the chief minister and his government for their tireless dedication throughout the negotiations. The UK’s commitment to Gibraltar remains as solid as The Rock itself.”
Spanish foreign minister Jose Albares said the deal marked “a new beginning” in the relationship between the UK and Spain. He said that Spain “will guarantee free movement of people and goods”, adding that Gibraltar would now be linked to the Schengen Area with Spanish authorities controlling entry and exit.
President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the deal. In a post on X, she said: “It safeguards the integrity of Schengen and the single market, while ensuring stability, legal certainty and prosperity for the region.”
Gibraltar’s chief minister Fabian Picardo said the deal would “protect future generations of British Gibraltarians and does not in any way affect our British sovereignty”.
“Now is the time to look beyond the arguments of the past and towards a time of renewed co-operation and understanding. Now the deal is done, it’s time to finalise the treaty,” he said.
The Conservatives have said they will carefully review the UK’s agreement with the EU on Gibraltar’s border to see if it crosses any “red lines” the party set out during its own negotiations when in government. Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel said: “Gibraltar is British, and given Labour’s record of surrendering our territory and paying for the privilege, we will be reviewing carefully all the details of any agreement that is reached.”
Mr Lammy held talks with Gibraltar’s leaders, members of the opposition and the business community before leaving the British overseas territory to head to Brussels on Wednesday morning. Gibraltar was ceded to the UK by Spain in 1713 and the population is heavily in favour of remaining a British overseas territory.
The last time it voted on a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain, in 2002, almost 99% of Gibraltarians rejected the move. Gibraltar also hosts an RAF base at its airport and an important naval facility.
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