On June 11, 2025, the United Kingdom reached a landmark post-Brexit agreement with the European Union and Spain, settling the long-standing dispute over Gibraltar's border and status. This historic deal establishes a fluid border between Gibraltar and Spain, eliminating physical checks on people and goods crossing the frontier, while introducing dual passport controls at Gibraltar's airport. The arrangement, hailed by officials on all sides, aims to safeguard British sovereignty, support Gibraltar's economy, and ensure seamless travel and trade in the region.
The negotiations culminated after years of uncertainty following Britain's departure from the EU in 2020, which left Gibraltar outside the EU customs union and without guaranteed freedom of movement. Gibraltar, a 2.6-square-mile British overseas territory on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, holds strategic military and economic importance for the UK. Since 1713, when Spain ceded control under the Treaty of Utrecht, the Rock has remained under British governance, despite Spain's persistent sovereignty claims.
Under the new deal, Gibraltar will become an associate member of the EU's passport-free Schengen zone, with border security responsibilities entrusted to the EU. This means that while the land border between Gibraltar and Spain will remain open without routine checks, travellers arriving at Gibraltar airport will undergo passport controls conducted jointly by Gibraltarian and Spanish officials. This dual control system mirrors the Eurostar model at London's St Pancras station, where British and French border officers carry out checks before international train departures.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who played a pivotal role in the negotiations alongside Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo, described the agreement as a "practical solution after years of uncertainty." He emphasized that the UK's commitment to Gibraltar "remains as solid as the Rock itself," highlighting that the deal "protects British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar's economy, and allows businesses to plan for the long-term once again." Lammy further noted on social media that Gibraltar's economy and way of life had been under threat, and the breakthrough safeguards sovereignty, jobs, and growth.
Fabian Picardo welcomed the deal as a "historic agreement" that removes a major bottleneck for commuters and trade, asserting that it "does not in any way affect our British sovereignty." He traveled to Brussels alongside Lammy to conclude the talks with EU and Spanish representatives. In a statement published in The Telegraph, Picardo stressed that the treaty was not forced upon Gibraltarians and that the sovereignty of the territory would be explicitly protected in the final legal text. "Make no mistake: the treaty that is now within reach is not one that the Gibraltarians have been forced to accept," Picardo wrote. "I am just as adamant today that this treaty will not in any way compromise British Sovereignty over Gibraltar. That will be set out, black upon white, in the treaty when it is published."
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič hailed the agreement as a "historic milestone" and a "new chapter" in EU-UK relations. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares described the deal as bringing down "the last wall" in continental Europe, guaranteeing free movement of persons and goods, and linking Gibraltar to the Schengen area with Spain controlling entry and exit points. Albares also confirmed that Spanish police would be stationed at Gibraltar's port and airport to ensure the integrity of the Schengen zone and could deny entry to individuals violating Schengen rules, such as overstaying the 90-day visa-free limit within a 180-day period.
This aspect of the agreement has sparked concern among some British politicians and commentators. Critics argue that requiring British visitors to present passports to Spanish or EU border guards on British soil undermines sovereignty. Former Brexit minister David Jones called the deal "dreadful," warning it could damage the UK's sovereignty over Gibraltar. Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman condemned it as "another surrender and a handover in all but name." Conservative shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel emphasized that her party would carefully review the treaty to ensure it safeguards Gibraltar's sovereignty and constitutional arrangements, echoing concerns about Spain's historic claims and potential border disruptions.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage labeled the agreement "yet another surrender," criticizing the government's negotiating record. Meanwhile, Spain's hard-right Vox party condemned the deal as "illegal, illegitimate and unjust," accusing Madrid's government of complicity in maintaining what they call the "illegal colonisation" of Gibraltar. The conservative People's Party (PP), Spain's main opposition, criticized the agreement as a missed opportunity to assert Spanish sovereignty and lamented the lack of parliamentary oversight and communication regarding the negotiations.
Despite the controversy, the deal offers significant practical benefits. Approximately 15,000 people cross the Gibraltar-Spain border daily, including many Spanish workers commuting to Gibraltar. The agreement preserves this fluid movement, preventing the imposition of a hard border under the EU's new entry/exit system scheduled for October 2025. Gibraltar's residents will regain freedoms similar to those enjoyed before Brexit, using residence cards without passport stamping, while Spanish citizens can continue to cross with government ID cards.
Economically, Gibraltar is a vital hub for finance, insurance, and online gambling, benefiting from favorable tax rates. The UK has a substantial trade relationship with Gibraltar, with imports and exports totaling £7.3 billion in the year ending 2024. The territory also holds strategic military value, hosting RAF Gibraltar and the Royal Navy's Gibraltar Squadron, which monitors naval traffic through the crucial Strait of Gibraltar—a key maritime chokepoint linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.
The agreement also ensures that the UK retains full operational autonomy over its military installations in Gibraltar. The airport, operated by the Ministry of Defence, will start accepting flights from across the EU, facilitating greater connectivity while maintaining British control over defense and security matters.
Public opinion in Gibraltar remains overwhelmingly in favor of British sovereignty. Referendums held in 1967 and 2002 saw near-unanimous rejection of proposals to share sovereignty with Spain. Gibraltar's 1969 constitution explicitly prohibits any transfer of sovereignty without the consent of its people, a provision reaffirmed in the current treaty negotiations.
As negotiators move to finalize the legal text for ratification, the deal marks a significant milestone in resolving one of the last major Brexit-related issues. It balances the complex interests of the UK, Spain, the EU, and the people of Gibraltar, aiming to foster stability, legal certainty, and prosperity in the region. While political debates and criticisms will undoubtedly continue, the agreement represents a pragmatic approach to a historically contentious issue, ensuring that Gibraltar's unique status is respected while facilitating practical cooperation across borders.
