Spain has begun to implement border checks on travelers arriving in Gibraltar, following a new post-Brexit agreement with the UK and EU. This arrangement, detailed in a 1,000-page draft treaty, aims to establish an open land border between Gibraltar and Spain, resolving uncertainties that arose after the 2016 Brexit vote. While Gibraltar will not officially join the passport-free Schengen zone, Spanish authorities will perform "second line" border controls at Gibraltar's airport and port, following initial checks by Gibraltarian officials. This includes powers for Spanish guards to arrest, search, and interview travelers when justified. British passport holders will be required to provide fingerprints to Spanish border officials upon arrival, as the EU's Entry Exit System (EES) will apply to non-EU nationals entering the territory. These measures are similar to procedures at London's St Pancras station, where Eurostar passengers undergo checks by both British and French border officials.
The deal, which is expected to come into force in April, is designed to prevent significant economic disruption in Gibraltar that would have resulted from the EU's stricter automated border system. Gibraltar's Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, has publicly welcomed the agreement, highlighting its importance for the territory's economic certainty. It is hoped that the new system will eventually enable the removal of "La Verja," the 1.2km chain-link fence separating Gibraltar from Spain. Approximately 15,000 people cross this border daily for work and leisure, and the previous lack of an agreement threatened to cause substantial delays, particularly with the introduction of the EES.
Economically, the agreement also places Gibraltar into a bespoke customs union with the EU, aligning its import taxes with those applied by Spain. While Gibraltar will maintain its zero-VAT regime, a new "transaction tax" on imported and domestically produced goods will be implemented, starting at 15% and increasing to 17% by 2028. This may lead to slightly higher prices for some products in Gibraltar, but the overall expectation is an increase in traffic to the territory's shops. The UK and EU have also committed to unspecified financial contributions for a fund supporting "training and employment" in the Spanish regions bordering Gibraltar. The UK government emphasizes that the treaty explicitly protects Gibraltar's British sovereignty and full operational autonomy of its military facilities, including the RAF base at the airport.
