The EU and the UK reached a historic deal for the future prosperity and stability of Gibraltar and its people, which includes free movement with Spain | Credits: @fabianpicardo
While the UK and European Union agreement reached today, June 11th, in Brussels can be hailed as historic, it is crucial to note that, for all intents and purposes, it has no bearing on the long-standing British-Spanish dispute over Gibraltar’s sovereignty.
For reporting accuracy purposes, it is also vital to clarify that the deal, which is set to be finalised shortly, is between the UK and the EU, not between the United Kingdom and Spain, as per the joint statement released in Brussels.
“The future Agreement is without prejudice to the respective legal positions of Spain and the United Kingdom about [Gibraltar’s] sovereignty and jurisdiction,” the statement also posted on Spain’s Exterior Ministry’s website. “The main objective of the future Agreement is to secure the future prosperity of the whole region,” the joint statement adds. It is signed by European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, together with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo, who met today in Brussels.
The statement explains that bringing certainty to the people of the British Overseas Territory will begin by removing all physical barriers, checks, and controls on persons and goods circulating between Spain and the Rock, while preserving the Schengen area, the EU Single Market, and the Customs Union.
“This will bring confidence and legal security to the lives and well-being of the people of the whole region by promoting shared prosperity and close and constructive relations between the Gibraltar and Spanish authorities,” the statement adds.
All borders will vanish
“With this agreement, the fence will disappear, the last wall in continental Europe,” said Albares in a press conference alongside Šefčovič. They reiterated that under the new deal, all border controls between Gibraltar and the Spanish town of La Línea de la Concepción will be removed, including for goods..
Instead, they said, dual border checks will be carried out at Gibraltar’s airport and port by Gibraltar and Schengen authorities in full cooperation.
For travellers arriving at Gibraltar Airport, passport checks will be conducted by officials from Gibraltar and Spain, who also have the authority to deny entry. This is because British arrivals can continue their travel into Spain and the EU’s Schengen Area without further checks.
“This is similar to the system in place for Eurostar passengers at London’s St Pancras station, where travellers pass through both British and French passport control before boarding international trains,” the BBC wrote. Spain will oversee the Schengen checks, while Gibraltar will continue its regular internal checks.
Trust and certainty for the entire region
“This will bring trust, legal certainty, and prosperity to the entire region,” the joint statement said, promoting close cooperation between Spanish and Gibraltarian authorities.
An estimated 15,000 people cross the Gibraltar-Spain border every day for work and leisure, according to official statistics. Gibraltar residents can currently cross using their residence cards without needing to have their passports stamped. Spanish citizens can cross using a government ID card known as a DNI.
“This agreement clearly benefits the people on both sides of the border,” Šefčovič said. “It improves the legal framework for businesses and strengthens the regional economy.”
The agreement includes provisions on indirect taxation, including for tobacco, labour rights, state aid, environmental protections, trade, sustainable development, anti-money laundering and transportation. All this to avoid market distortions and ensure shared economic benefits, the joint statement highlights.
No deadline for finalising the agreement
There’s no deadline for the finalisation of the agreement, but Šefčovič said he is “absolutely convinced this agreement will be ratified because it is a good agreement. We studied every detail, worked closely with all partners, and found the best possible solution.”
The Slovak commissioner also highlighted that the removal of Gibraltar’s border fence will boost economic opportunities across the region, particularly in the Campo de Gibraltar, and said the EU will support further investment and development efforts in the area.
Discussions on the rules governing the border between Spain and the British Overseas Territory, which led to this Wednesday’s agreement, have been ongoing since the UK left the EU in 2020.
Protecting sovereignty, supporting economy
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy assured that the agreement protects British sovereignty and supports Gibraltar’s economy. Lammy also said the “breakthrough” delivered a practical solution, adding: “This government inherited a situation from the last government which put Gibraltar’s economy and way of life under threat.”
Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo welcomed the agreement, saying: “I have worked hand in glove with the UK government throughout this negotiation to deliver the deal Gibraltar wants and needs – one that will protect future generations of British Gibraltarians and does not in any way affect our British sovereignty.”
UK, Gibraltar reject shared sovereignty with Spain
Public opinion in Gibraltar, which has a population of around 32,000, is in favour of keeping British sovereignty. The most recent referendum, held in 2002, saw almost 99 per cent of voters reject a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain.
Spain ceded Gibraltar to the Kingdom of Great Britain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht as part of the settlement of the War of the Spanish Succession. Under Spanish dictator Francisco Franco (1950s-1960s), Spain began pushing for the return of the 6.8 km² (4.2 square miles) piece of land off the southern Spanish coast.
In 1969, Spain escalated tensions by fully closing the border until 1982, in a failed attempt to economically and politically pressure Gibraltar. It insists on talks over control of the territory with the UK, but the United Kingdom says Gibraltar authorities should also sit at the table. At the same time, the UK has also said it prefers Gibraltar’s self-determination.
In October 2024, Keir Starmer’s Labour government’s decision to hand sovereignty over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius prompted fierce criticism from the Conservatives and concerns about the future of the UK’s other overseas territories.
However, Starmer was adamant in saying the Falklands and Gibraltar “are British and they will remain British”
