The UK has a agreed a deal with the European Union over Gibraltar’s status after Brexit.
Talks on rules governing the border of Spain and Gibraltar have been ongoing since Britain left the EU in 2020.
The UK said the agreement would avoid the need for checks on people and goods crossing the Gibraltar-Spain border.
For travellers arriving at Gibraltar airport, passport checks will be carried out by Gibraltar and Spanish officials.
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.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the deal “protects British sovereignty, supports Gibraltar’s economy and allows businesses to plan for the long-term once again”.
Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo also welcomed the agreement, saying it would “bring legal certainty to the people of Gibraltar, its businesses and to those across the region who rely on stability at the frontier.”
All parties have committed to finalising a UK-EU treaty text on Gibraltar as quickly as possible, the UK government said.
Gibraltar, which is a British Overseas Territory, is a 2.6 square mile headland to the south of Spain.
The UK has had sovereignty over Gibraltar since 1713, although this is disputed by Spain, who claim the territory as their own.
The territory’s status and that of its border with Spain has been a key sticking point and has remained unresolved since Brexit.
An estimated 15,000 people cross the Gibraltar-Spain border every day for work and leisure.
Currently, Gibraltar residents can cross using residence cards without needing to have their passports stamped. Spanish citizens can cross using a government ID card.
But there were concerns this would end with the introduction of the EU’s Entry/Exit system later this year, causing huge delays at the border.
Public opinion in Gibraltar, which has a population of 32,000 according to its government, is in favour of keeping British sovereignty. The most recent referendum, held in 2002, saw almost 99% of voters reject a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain.
