UK finalises post-Brexit border deal for Gibraltar
BBC World
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The UK has finalized a post-Brexit border deal with the EU that will significantly alter travel arrangements for Gibraltar. Under the new agreement, British travelers to Gibraltar will now be required to show their passports twice: once when arriving at Gibraltar's port or airport, where Gibraltarian officials conduct initial checks, and again during secondary inspections by Spanish authorities in a designated zone. This dual-check system aims to eliminate the need for border checks between Gibraltar and Spain, which are crossed daily by approximately half of Gibraltar's workforce.
The deal was reached ahead of new Schengen-style border checks set to take effect in April, which would have required travelers entering the passport-free Schengen zone to undergo inspections. While Gibraltar will not officially join the Schengen zone, the agreement mandates that similar border procedures be applied to arrivals at Gibraltar's port and airport. The UK government has compared this process to the system used at London’s St Pancras station, where Eurostar passengers are checked by both British and French officials before boarding trains.
The treaty also addresses customs procedures for goods destined for Gibraltar, with most items cleared through EU customs offices in Spain. This arrangement avoids the need for customs checks at the land border between Gibraltar and Spain. The deal resolves a long-standing issue for Gibraltar, which was not covered under the UK's 2021 trade agreement with the EU. The UK had previously described this as the "last piece of the EU exit jigsaw."
The agreement implements a political deal agreed between the UK and EU in June 2022 and provides clarity on how the new arrangements will operate in practice. It has been published in draft form pending final legal reviews and translation, after which it must be ratified by both the UK and European Parliaments. The conclusion of this treaty marks a significant step toward resolving the post-Brexit uncertainties surrounding Gibraltar's status and its relationship with Spain.
This deal is crucial for ensuring smooth cross-border movement and trade between Gibraltar and Spain, while maintaining security and compliance with EU regulations. It reflects the ongoing efforts to finalize the UK's post-Brexit arrangements and underscores the importance of collaboration between the UK, EU, and Gibraltar in addressing complex border issues. For travelers and businesses, this agreement provides much-needed clarity and stability, though questions remain about its long-term impact on relations between Gibraltar, Spain, and the UK.
Verticals
worldpolitics
Originally published on BBC World on 2/26/2026