Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on June 11, 2025
3 min readLast updated: January 23, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleEU and UK finalize a post-Brexit deal easing Gibraltar border crossings, ensuring sovereignty, and boosting economic stability.
By David Latona and Sam Tabahriti
MADRID/LONDON (Reuters) -The European Union (EU) and Britain reached an agreement on the status of the overseas territory of Gibraltar on Wednesday which facilitates border crossings and ends years of political uncertainty.
The status of Gibraltar - an enclave at the southern tip of Spain that has been under British rule since the 18th century - and how to police the border with Spain have been points of contention since Britain voted in 2016 to leave the EU.
Talks have continued without an agreement since Britain officially left the EU in 2020 over the territory's status and border with Spain.
Gibraltar residents can cross using residence cards without needing to have their passports stamped. Spanish citizens can cross using a government ID card.
Passport controls have occasionally been re-established in tit-for-tat disputes, however, causing massive queues for up to 15,000 cross-border workers.
Under Wednesday's agreement, those arriving at Gibraltar airport will show their passports to both Gibraltar and Spanish border officers.
The British Foreign Office said the system would follow a similar model to French police operating in London's St. Pancras station, where the Eurostar train service connecting Britain with mainland Europe runs from.
It added that the agreement would provide a practical solution to avoid the need for what it described as "onerous checks" and long delays at the border.
"We have reached an agreement which protects British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar's economy and allows businesses to plan for the long-term once again," British Foreign Minister David Lammy said.
Spain had urged Britain to close a deal on Gibraltar's post-Brexit status before the start of new EU border controls, which include a biometric entry-check system for non-EU citizens.
"This is about the removal of the last fence in Europe," European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic said.
Sticking points have included what role Spanish officials would have carrying out entry checks to the 29-nation Schengen free travel zone - of which Britain is not a member - at Gibraltar's airport and its ports.
"I'm delighted we have finalised a conclusive political agreement which will bring legal certainty to the people of Gibraltar, its businesses and to those across the region who rely on stability at the frontier," Fabian Picardo, the chief minister of Gibraltar, said.
(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop in Brussels, David Latona in Madrid and Sam Tabahriti in London; Writing by Catarina Demony; Editing by Inti Landauro, GV De Clercq and Ed Osmond)
Gibraltar residents can cross the border using residence cards without needing to have their passports stamped.
Under the new agreement, travelers arriving at Gibraltar airport will need to show their passports to both Gibraltar and Spanish border officers.
A major sticking point has been the role of Spanish officials in carrying out entry checks at Gibraltar's airport, particularly concerning the Schengen free travel zone.
The British Foreign Office stated that the agreement provides a practical solution to avoid onerous checks and long delays at the border.
Spain urged Britain to finalize the deal on Gibraltar's status before the implementation of new EU border controls, which include a biometric entry-check system for non-EU citizens.
Explore more articles in the Headlines category
