Thousands of people who travel daily between the southern tip of Spain and the British territory of Gibraltar began crossing without a physical border on Wednesday. The removal of the border fence at midnight on Tuesday marks the implementation of a historic treaty between the European Union and the United Kingdom, concluding years of post-Brexit negotiations regarding the status of the territory.
A New Era of Movement
The agreement enables a new freedom of movement between Gibraltar and the neighboring Spanish town of La Línea de la Concepción. Following the midnight opening, crowds moved freely in both directions. The treaty effectively brings the territory of 38,000 people into the EU’s Schengen free-travel area, which allows for movement between 29 countries without the need for visas. Under the new arrangements, Gibraltar residents may cross into Spain using residence cards, while Spanish citizens are permitted to enter Gibraltar using government ID cards. This shift removes the requirement for passport stamps that previously burdened daily commuters. The change is particularly significant for the territory’s workforce. Gibraltar is home to approximately 15,000 workers—more than half of its total workforce—who commute from Spain every day. Without this deal, the territory faced the prospect of a “hard border” and intensive passport checks, which officials warned posed substantial economic risks.
Negotiations and Implementation
The treaty was signed in Brussels by EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, British Minister of State for Europe Stephen Doughty, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, and Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo. The agreement followed more than three and a half years of complex negotiations. While the treaty provides economic and trade certainty, it does not resolve the long-standing dispute over the sovereignty of Gibraltar, which was ceded to Britain in 1713. Despite this, officials from both sides praised the outcome. U.K. Foreign Office Minister Stephen Doughty stated that the agreement secures Gibraltar’s long-term economic future, while Commissioner Šefčovič noted the significance of seeing the border fence removed. At Gibraltar’s port and airport, entry and exit checks will now be conducted by a combination of British and Spanish border officials. This dual-check system is modeled on the arrangements currently in place at Eurostar train stations in London and Paris.
Digital Security and Surveillance
As physical border infrastructure is dismantled, the territory has transitioned to a new method of border management. Travelers arriving in Gibraltar from outside the Schengen area, including those from the United Kingdom, will still be subject to the EU Entry-Exit System (EES). Rolled out in April, this system utilizes biometric data—including digital fingerprints and photographs—to replace traditional passport stamps.
Historical Context
Gibraltar’s unique position has long been a focal point of regional tensions. When the U.K. officially left the bloc in 2020, Gibraltar’s relationship with the EU remained unresolved, necessitating the separate, years-long negotiation process that concluded this week. The removal of the fence stands in stark contrast to previous periods of hostility, such as the 1969 blockade imposed by Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, which remained in place until 1982. Today, the atmosphere is markedly different; following the border opening, many commuters were observed in a celebratory mood, with some wearing Spanish soccer jerseys following the national team’s recent World Cup semifinal victory.
Find more reporting in our World section.
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