Spain to slam down Schengen shutters

It looks like it’s the end of the free-and-easy era at the Rock – and the start of what could be a passport-palming, fingerprint-flashing, queue-queuing nightmare for some.

Gibraltar residents are bracing themselves for border changes as the EU gears up to unleash its high-tech Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) – and unless a Brexit border deal is struck sharpish, the Rock’s easy stroll into Spain could soon be a bureaucratic boot camp.

From November 10, crossing the border from Gibraltar into Spain will no longer be a case of flashing a friendly smile and strolling through. Instead, Gibraltarians will join the ranks of ‘third-country nationals’ – and yes, that means Brits too – subject to all the trimmings of the EU’s ironclad frontier rules.

Passport control gets a makeover

Out goes the old-school passport stamp. In comes a fully automated fortress of scanners, biometrics and face-capturing tech.

Dubbed the EES (Entry/Exit System), the EU’s new border beast will digitally log every non-EU traveller’s entry and exit, grabbing fingerprints, facial images, and travel data in a matter of seconds. This virtual stamp will help calculate how long you’ve been in the Schengen zone – and whether you’ve outstayed your welcome.

But beware: Spanish authorities expect long queues at La Verja, the Gibraltar-Spain land border, as thousands of travellers complete the biometric process for the first time.

Still, once you’re scanned and stored in the system, future entries should be smoother, with automated gates doing the job instead of border agents. At least, that’s the plan.

That means you might need to explain your beach break or business trip to a border guard – or a robot – and flash bank statements to show you’re not about to overstay and bunk down in Benalmadena.

As for now, Gibraltarians do not need a visa, but they must obey all the entry rules like any other non-EU citizen.

Pet passports and paperwork?

Travelling with a furry friend? Fido’s freedom isn’t quite what it was.

Dogs, cats and even ferrets entering Spain from Gibraltar need:

• A valid rabies vaccine.
• An official veterinary certificate from Gibraltar.
• Anti-parasite treatment within 5 days before returning home.

And don’t forget: you must enter Spain through an authorised port or airport – no sneaky shortcuts via side roads.

Driving yourself mad?

Planning a Spanish road trip? UK driving licences are valid for six months from your entry into Spain. If you’re a resident, the clock starts ticking the day you register – and once your six months are up, it’s hola, Spanish driving test (unless you swapped it before the 2020 deadline).

Anyone who missed the boat on exchanging their UK licence before Brexit now faces the full Spanish bureaucracy to get a new one. Pack patience.

Can Spaniards still nip into Gibraltar?

Yes – sort of. Despite Brexit, EU citizens can still cross into Gibraltar as long as they carry a valid passport or national ID card. Kids must be accompanied by both parents, or else hold a signed authorisation from the Guardia Civil.

Gibraltar isn’t in the EU or Schengen, but it keeps its border open 24/7, charges no entry fees, and allows unlimited daily crossings. A rare Brexit bonus.

But one footnote: Schengen visa holders entering Gibraltar must be sure they can get back into Spain. Otherwise, they might end up trapped in limbo on the Rock.

What’s next?

Unless a last-minute agreement is hammered out between the UK and EU, Gibraltarians are set to become third-country citizens in every sense – fingerprinted, face-scanned, and full-on scrutinised at Europe’s digital border.

The UK Foreign Office hasn’t ruled out a deal yet. For now, check your documents, brush your hair for the biometric camera, and make sure your dog’s got the right papers. Welcome to Border Control 2.0.

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