UK agrees landmark deal on Gibraltar – here’s how the travel rules work
The UK and Spanish governments have agreed to a landmark deal on the future of Gibraltar and its travel rules.
The deal will effectively remove 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.
This will bring confidence and legal certainty to the lives and well-being of the people of the whole region by promoting shared prosperity and close and constructive relations between the Gibraltar and Spanish authorities, the UK, European Commission, Spain and Gibraltar said in a joint statement.
The parties agreed to establish dual Gibraltar and Schengen border checks at Gibraltar port and airport – to be carried out in full cooperation between the EU and UK/Gibraltar authorities, removing all checks at the crossing point between Gibraltar and La Linea 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. Reporting by the Guardian indicates that this will lead to the introduction of Eurostar-style dual passport checks at Gibraltar’s airport and eliminate checks on people and goods crossing the land border between Spain and Gibraltar.
The countries also agreed on arrangements for visas and permits, and close cooperation between the police and law enforcement authorities.
Other important areas of the future EU-UK Agreement include level playing field commitments on State aid, taxation, labour, environment, trade and sustainable development, anti-money laundering, and transport, including the airport; the rights of frontier workers and social security coordination.
Specific cooperation will also be included in environmental matters. The creation of an appropriate financial mechanism to promote cohesion and support training and employment in the region has also been agreed.
