Focus on the BIG picture.
Sunday, Jun 15, 2025
Outside the box.
EU and UK Finalize Post-Brexit Agreement on Gibraltar
Historic agreement eliminates land border controls and establishes new regulatory framework for Gibraltar.
Brussels – Spain and the United Kingdom have reached a comprehensive agreement concerning Gibraltar, addressing the final outstanding issue following Brexit.
The agreement was formalized in Brussels, with signatures from Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, under the mediation of EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.
One of the most significant outcomes of this political understanding is the elimination of land border controls between Gibraltar and Spain, which will facilitate the free movement of people and goods.
It is estimated that approximately 15,000 individuals cross the border daily, including many Spanish workers employed in Gibraltar.
Spanish Foreign Minister Albares remarked, "With this agreement, the barrier will disappear.
It is the last wall on continental Europe to be removed." While checks will still be required at the port and airport, they will be conducted jointly: Spanish authorities will manage the checks for the EU, while Gibraltar will carry out its own inspections for the United Kingdom.
The agreement has been framed as a practical solution aimed at safeguarding Gibraltar’s economy and way of life, with Lammy emphasizing that it secures jobs and growth while maintaining British sovereignty over the territory.
However, the terms of the agreement do stipulate that for British citizens not residing in Gibraltar, Schengen rules will apply.
This means that they could be denied entry by Spanish border authorities if they exceed the permitted stay of 90 days within the Schengen Area over any 180-day period.
This arrangement has raised concerns among some British Conservatives regarding the implications for sovereignty, particularly due to the authority of the Spanish crown at Gibraltar’s port and airport.
Nonetheless, the agreement allows Gibraltar to implement an indirect taxation system, including taxes on tobacco, which is intended to align with customs regulations and support regional economic stability.
Foreign Secretary Lammy described the deal as a victory, stating, "We have achieved a practical solution that safeguards sovereignty, jobs, and growth." EU Commissioner Šefčovič characterized the agreement as a historic milestone for EU-UK relations, underscoring its significance for both Spain and the United Kingdom.
Although specific legal texts will take time to finalize, the agreement is poised to reshape the future dynamics not only for Gibraltar and the UK but also within the wider European context.
The agreement was formalized in Brussels, with signatures from Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, and Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, under the mediation of EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.
One of the most significant outcomes of this political understanding is the elimination of land border controls between Gibraltar and Spain, which will facilitate the free movement of people and goods.
It is estimated that approximately 15,000 individuals cross the border daily, including many Spanish workers employed in Gibraltar.
Spanish Foreign Minister Albares remarked, "With this agreement, the barrier will disappear.
It is the last wall on continental Europe to be removed." While checks will still be required at the port and airport, they will be conducted jointly: Spanish authorities will manage the checks for the EU, while Gibraltar will carry out its own inspections for the United Kingdom.
The agreement has been framed as a practical solution aimed at safeguarding Gibraltar’s economy and way of life, with Lammy emphasizing that it secures jobs and growth while maintaining British sovereignty over the territory.
However, the terms of the agreement do stipulate that for British citizens not residing in Gibraltar, Schengen rules will apply.
This means that they could be denied entry by Spanish border authorities if they exceed the permitted stay of 90 days within the Schengen Area over any 180-day period.
This arrangement has raised concerns among some British Conservatives regarding the implications for sovereignty, particularly due to the authority of the Spanish crown at Gibraltar’s port and airport.
Nonetheless, the agreement allows Gibraltar to implement an indirect taxation system, including taxes on tobacco, which is intended to align with customs regulations and support regional economic stability.
Foreign Secretary Lammy described the deal as a victory, stating, "We have achieved a practical solution that safeguards sovereignty, jobs, and growth." EU Commissioner Šefčovič characterized the agreement as a historic milestone for EU-UK relations, underscoring its significance for both Spain and the United Kingdom.
Although specific legal texts will take time to finalize, the agreement is poised to reshape the future dynamics not only for Gibraltar and the UK but also within the wider European context.
