The need for checks on people and goods crossing the Gibraltar-Spain border will be removed as part of a post-Brexit deal agreed yesterday (Wednesday).
Passport checks will be carried out by Gibraltar and Spanish officials for travellers arriving at Gibraltar airport.
Spanish border officials would be able to deny entry as it would be possible for British arrivals to continue their travel into Spain and the EU free-travel 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.
Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and Gibraltar first minister Fabian Picardo heralded the “historic agreement” that would “unlock a secure future for the people and businesses of Gibraltar, allowing them plan for the long-term while protecting British sovereignty”.
A joint government statement on the UK-EU deal said: “The main objective of the future agreement is to secure the future prosperity of the whole region.
“This will be done by removing all physical barriers, checks and controls on persons and goods circulating between Spain and Gibraltar, while preserving the Schengen area, the EU single market and customs union.”
The UK, Spain, European Commission and Gibraltar agreed during talks in Brussels to establish dual Gibraltar and Schengen border checks at Gibraltar port and airport.
These would be carried out “in full co-operation between the EU and UK/Gibraltar authorities, removing all checks at the crossing point between Gibraltar and La Linea [a Spanish city located directly across the border from Gibraltar] for the many thousands of people who travel across daily in both directions.
“For the EU, full Schengen checks will be carried out by Spain. For the UK, full Gibraltar checks will continue to be carried out as they are today.”
The parties also agreed arrangements for visas and permits and close co-operation between the police and law enforcement authorities.