Spain and the United Kingdom agree on a new relationship with Gibraltar

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, signed a joint statement this Wednesday with the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maroš Šefčovič, in which he announced a final political agreement on the fundamental aspects of the future Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom in relation to Gibraltar five years after Brexit.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation announced the positive news following a meeting in Brussels between European Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, Minister José Manuel Albares, and the UK Foreign Minister, David Lammy, along with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo.

Building on the progress made at previous meetings in 2024 and “the intensive work carried out by the negotiating teams since then to resolve outstanding issues ,” the negotiations have resulted in “a final political agreement on the key aspects of the future agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom in relation to Gibraltar.”

The future agreement, the Foreign Ministry noted, “safeguards the respective legal positions of Spain and the United Kingdom regarding sovereignty and jurisdiction.”

PROSPERITY OF THE REGION

The main objective of the future agreement is to “guarantee the future prosperity of the entire region .” To this end, all physical barriers, including the famous Fence, checks, and controls on people and goods moving between Spain and Gibraltar will be eliminated, while preserving the Schengen Area, the EU Single Market, and the Customs Union.

In the area of ​​people, the parties agreed to establish dual Gibraltar and Schengen border controls at the port and airport of Gibraltar, to be implemented through full cooperation between the EU, UK and Gibraltar authorities, abolishing all controls at the border crossing between Gibraltar and La Línea for the many thousands of people who cross daily in both directions.

On the European Union side, Spain will carry out full Schengen controls . On the United Kingdom side, full Gibraltar controls will continue to be carried out as before. Visa and permit arrangements, as well as close cooperation between police and judicial authorities, were also agreed upon.

In the area of ​​goods, the parties agreed on the principles underpinning the future customs union between the EU and Gibraltar, maintaining close collaboration between the respective customs authorities and eliminating controls on goods.

An agreement has also been reached on the principles of indirect taxation to be applied in Gibraltar, including tobacco , which will avoid distortions and contribute to the prosperity of the entire region.

TAX EQUALITY

Other key aspects of the future EU-UK agreement include commitments to a level playing field on state aid, taxation, employment, the environment, trade and sustainable development , anti-money laundering, and transport, including airports.

Likewise, the rights of cross-border workers and coordination in social security matters are respected. Specific cooperation on environmental matters will also be included. The creation of an appropriate financial mechanism to promote cohesion and support training and employment in the region has also been agreed upon.

BEFORE AND AFTER

At a press conference in Brussels with Maroš Šefčovič, Minister Albares emphasized that this agreement “marks a turning point for stability, cooperation, and well-being, creating an area of ​​shared prosperity between Gibraltar and the Campo de Gibraltar region, as has been our goal all along.”

Everything has been done, he noted, “with the 15,000 people who travel daily between Gibraltar and Campo de Gibraltar and the 300,000 Andalusians in the area in mind.” “With this agreement, the Verja, the last remaining wall in continental Europe, will disappear, and the free movement of people and goods will be guaranteed.”

As an important detail, the Foreign Minister noted that “Gibraltar will be connected to the Schengen area, with Spain exercising control over entry and exit.”

He also emphasized that the free movement of goods “is also guaranteed, avoiding distortions, given that there will be a fiscal convergence process that guarantees fair competition for everyone in the region.”

Gibraltar Airport, he emphasized, “will benefit the entire region, enabling commercial flights from Britain, Spain, and Europe.”  Regarding security, he explained, “the new cooperation framework is reflected in the exchange of information between Spanish and British authorities and opens up new opportunities for cooperation in this and other areas with the United Kingdom.”