After four years of negotiations, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have reached a historic political agreement on the future of Gibraltar following Brexit. This new deal aims to remove physical barriers and customs checks between Gibraltar and Spain, making travel and trade easier for thousands of people.

A Major Breakthrough After Brexit

The agreement resolves the final open issue since the UK left the EU in 2020: the status of Gibraltar. It was announced on Wednesday, June 11, after a high-level meeting in Brussels between Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, European Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, and Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.

Sefcovic called it ‘a truly historic milestone’ that opens a new chapter in EU–UK relations. Minister Albares also confirmed the breakthrough on social media, calling it a ‘historic agreement.’

El acuerdo en relación a Gibraltar ya es una realidad.

Un acuerdo histórico. pic.twitter.com/jZifqZp4tg

— José Manuel Albares (@jmalbares) June 11, 2025

End of Border Checks and Physical Barriers

One of the main changes is the removal of all border checks and physical barriers between Gibraltar and the nearby Spanish town of La Línea de la Concepción. For over 15,000 cross-border workers, around 10,500 of them Spanish, this will make daily life much easier.

Passengers and goods will now pass freely between the two territories, while Spain and Gibraltar will carry out coordinated controls at Gibraltar’s port and airport. Spain will handle full Schengen checks, while Gibraltar will continue its current checks for arrivals from the UK and other non-Schengen areas.

Tax, Visas, and Policing Cooperation

The agreement also addresses tax matters and cooperation in law enforcement. There will be new visa and permit rules, and both Spanish and Gibraltar authorities will work closely on judicial and police matters. However, Frontex, the EU border agency, will not be involved in managing border security at this stage.

Another important issue in the talks was preventing unfair competition in the EU market. Brussels aimed to ensure Gibraltar’s tax system would not create advantages over EU businesses.

What Happens Next?

The agreement is currently a political one and must now be turned into a legal text. Once formalised, it will offer legal certainty to people and businesses in the region. It’s also seen as a step towards a stable and cooperative relationship between Gibraltar, Spain, and the EU.

The EU recently announced plans to remove Gibraltar from its list of territories at risk of money laundering. Gibraltar welcomed the move and asked Spain to remove the Rock from its own blacklist, though Spain has not yet responded.

A Positive Step for the Region

This deal is expected to bring stability, shared prosperity, and better cooperation between all parties. It also helps clarify the future relationship between Gibraltar and the EU, more than five years after Brexit.

As Minister Picardo said, ‘It’s time to finalise arrangements for a stable, secure, and beneficial relationship that protects our people and gives certainty to cross-border workers.’