In a significant step post-Brexit, the UK has reached an agreement with the European Union concerning the status of Gibraltar. Ongoing discussions since Britain departed the EU in 2020 have focused on border management between Gibraltar and Spain. The UK announced that the deal would eliminate the need for checkpoints for individuals and goods traveling across the border.
Key features of this agreement include passport checks conducted at Gibraltar’s airport, similar to the process for Eurostar passengers at St Pancras station. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized that the arrangement “protects British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar's economy and allows businesses to plan for the long-term once again.”
Gibraltar's Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, expressed optimism about the agreement, highlighting its role in providing "legal certainty" for both residents and regional businesses. All involved parties are committed to hastening the completion of a UK-EU treaty text related to Gibraltar.
Located south of Spain, Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory covering just 2.6 square miles. Although British control over Gibraltar dates back to 1713, Spain contests this claim. The issue of its sovereignty became particularly pertinent after Brexit. Daily, about 15,000 individuals cross the border for work and leisure, and the new deal aims to maintain their seamless access, particularly amidst concerns over the EU's Entry/Exit system implementation.
Public sentiment in Gibraltar favors continued British sovereignty, evidenced by a 2002 referendum where almost 99% rejected a shared sovereignty proposal with Spain.
