UK and EU Reach Accord on Gibraltar Border Management Post-Brexit

Sat Oct 25 2025 01:17:02 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Agreement aims to simplify border crossings and boost stability for local communities.

The deal between the UK and EU will prevent additional checks at the Gibraltar-Spain border, providing much-needed clarity for residents and businesses alike.

In a significant development following Brexit, the United Kingdom has reached a deal with the European Union regarding the status of Gibraltar's border. Ongoing discussions since Britain's exit from the EU in 2020 have led to this agreement, which aims to streamline the management of the border between Gibraltar and Spain.

The UK government announced that the new arrangements will eliminate the need for checks on people and goods crossing the Gibraltar-Spain border. For those arriving at Gibraltar Airport, passport checks will be conducted collaboratively by Gibraltar and Spanish officials, mirroring the system utilized by Eurostar passengers at London’s St Pancras station. This dual-control system is expected to reduce delays and streamline travel.

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed his approval, stating that the agreement "protects British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar's economy and allows businesses to plan for the long-term once again." Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the deal will bring much-needed legal certainty to Gibraltar's citizens and businesses, as well as to those in the broader region dependent on a stable frontier.

As discussions proceed, all parties are committed to finalizing a UK-EU treaty text on Gibraltar expediently. Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory, covers just 2.6 square miles and has been under British sovereignty since 1713, a claim contested by Spain. The territory's status and border regulations have posed significant challenges since the Brexit decision.

Currently, approximately 15,000 individuals traverse the Gibraltar-Spain border daily for work and leisure. Gibraltar residents can cross using residence cards, while Spanish citizens use government-issued ID cards. However, there are concerns that the upcoming implementation of the EU's Entry/Exit system could introduce new complexities and cause long delays at the border.

Amidst these developments, public sentiment in Gibraltar remains strongly in favor of maintaining British sovereignty. A referendum conducted in 2002 revealed that nearly 99% of voters opposed a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain, signifying the community's desire to maintain its longstanding ties with the UK.