Thousands of individuals who travel regularly between the southern tip of Spain and the British territory of Gibraltar will experience a significant change beginning on Wednesday, 15 July. The official opening, which occurred at midnight on Tuesday following the removal of a border fence, allows for enhanced freedom of movement under a historic treaty between the European Union and the United Kingdom. This development follows years of negotiations in the wake of Brexit.
Gibraltar, a British overseas territory with a population of approximately 38,000, is strategically positioned at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula, just a few miles from Morocco, where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Mediterranean Sea.
In the early hours of the morning, many individuals began crossing freely between La Línea de la Concepción in Spain and Gibraltar, celebrating this newfound accessibility. Notably, many wore Spanish soccer jerseys in recognition of Spain’s recent victory against France in the World Cup semifinal, contributing to a collective sense of joy and unity.
Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, remarked to Spanish broadcaster RTVE, “What you feel here is the brotherhood between the two peoples.”
A deal realised after several years
In 2020, following Britain’s departure from the European Union, the relationship between Gibraltar and the bloc remained uncertain. Previous negotiations aimed at establishing a framework to ensure the seamless movement of people and goods across the border had progressed slowly.
However, in 2025, a significant advancement was made when the EU and the U.K. announced a formal agreement addressing these issues. Both parties, along with Gibraltar’s government, signed a treaty that facilitates border crossings.
Stephen Doughty, the U.K.’s Foreign Office Minister, remarked that this agreement secures Gibraltar’s long-term economic future and interests. Maroš Šefčovič, the EU’s trade representative, also commended the accord.
“It has taken four years of patient, complex negotiation, but the outcome speaks for itself,” Šefčovič said. “It is a very special feeling to see a fence come down.”
Without a deal, Gibraltar could face a hard land border with full passport checks, risking its economy, which relies heavily on approximately 15,000 Spaniards—nearly half of its workforce—who cross the border daily for work. Home care worker Mendez Segura, 51, noted the adjustment to new freedom of movement, saying, “I’ve been crossing over to work in Gibraltar all my life with my identity card.”
Leisure visits would also have been affected, as families and children participating in activities across the border would have had to queue at the frontier. As Picardo explained, the new deal brings Gibraltar into the EU’s Schengen free travel area, with entry checks conducted by both U.K. and Spanish officials, similar to Eurostar stations.
While Gibraltar has been British since 1713, Spain has maintained its sovereignty claims. The treaty that eliminated the border fence doesn’t resolve its contested status. Additionally, in the 2016 Brexit referendum, 96% of Gibraltar voters supported remaining in the EU.
A digital fortress
Travellers from outside the Schengen Area, including the U.K., will use the new EU Entry-Exit System, which collects biometric data rather than passport stamps.
Following the removal of the border fence, officials in Gibraltar have implemented live facial recognition cameras at key entry points and throughout the territory.
Chief Minister Picardo indicated that there will be a significant increase in the number of closed-circuit television cameras, along with a bolstered police presence and enhanced resources for the customs and coast guard agencies. He emphasised, “The fortress has now evolved into a digital fortress.”
This article used information from The Associated Press.
