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Spain and UK to end Gibraltar border checks by January 2026
Border controls between Gibraltar and Spain are set to be eliminated at the start of 2026, according to reports on the post-Brexit agreement surrounding Gibraltar’s future relationship with the European Union. This development aims to streamline movement for thousands of people and goods daily across La Verja, the long-standing border checkpoint between Gibraltar and the Spanish town of La Línea de la Concepción.
Gibraltar Treaty to align tax system and customs with EU standards
The removal of the border follows the ratification of the Gibraltar Treaty last June, an agreement between Brussels, Madrid, London, and Gibraltar, which is expected to be finalized in October 2025. Once implemented, Gibraltar will form a customs union with the European Union, with its tax system aligned to EU standards.
As part of the treaty, joint Spanish-Gibraltarian police controls will oversee Gibraltar’s port and airport, while the border crossing itself will see most physical checks removed. New taxes will also be introduced on goods such as tobacco.
Mixed reactions from local authorities
The mayor of La Línea, Juan Franco, welcomed the announcement but highlighted the need for more clarity on how the changes will affect his municipality. Speaking to Spanish broadcaster SER, he stated, “We welcome the fact that the border has an end date, but we need specific details to plan the impact on La Línea.”
The treaty aims to simplify movement for approximately 15,000 daily commuters between Spain and Gibraltar, many of whom are Andalusian workers or Gibraltarians with family and business ties across the border.
Upcoming talks between Sánchez and Starmer
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London next week to finalize the agreement’s details. This meeting will address the remaining uncertainties about the treaty’s implementation, including the potential impact of EuroStar-style passport checks and the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES), which may affect British travelers’ 90-day visa-free limit.
A new chapter for Gibraltar and Spain
The elimination of La Verja will mark a historic shift in the relationship between Gibraltar and the neighboring Spanish region of Andalucía, particularly La Línea de la Concepción. After years of negotiations, the new arrangement is expected to ease decades of tension and promote economic and social ties in the region.
