UK and EU Reach Landmark Agreement on Gibraltar's Status Post-Brexit

The UK has finalized an agreement with the European Union regarding Gibraltar's status following Brexit, providing a framework for border controls that will ease the movement of people and goods between Gibraltar and Spain.

The latest negotiations come after the UK's exit from the EU in 2020, with discussions focusing on establishing a clear set of rules to govern the Gibraltar-Spain border. This new agreement is designed to eliminate the need for customs checks for individuals and products crossing the border, simplifying the travel experience significantly.

Travellers heading to Gibraltar by air will undergo passport checks conducted by officials from both Gibraltar and Spain, akin to the process followed by Eurostar passengers at St Pancras in London, where dual passport verification occurs before boarding international trains.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy praised the deal, stating it “protects British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar’s economy, and allows businesses to plan for the long term once again.” Gibraltar's Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, described the agreement as essential, asserting that it would "bring legal certainty to the people of Gibraltar, its businesses, and those in the region dependent on border stability."

Both sides have agreed to expedite the completion of a treaty text concerning Gibraltar. The small territory, covering just 2.6 square miles, is located on the southern tip of Spain and has been under British sovereignty since 1713—a claim contested by Spain.

Gibraltar’s border regulations had been a contentious issue since Brexit, and with around 15,000 individuals crossing the border daily for work and leisure, the impact on residents has been significant. Currently, Gibraltar residents can traverse the border using residence cards without passport stamping, and Spanish nationals typically utilize government ID cards. However, the upcoming EU Entry/Exit system had raised concerns about potential delays at the border.

Public sentiment in Gibraltar strongly favors maintaining British sovereignty, with a nearly unanimous vote of 99% in a 2002 referendum rejecting a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain.