Gibraltar’s government has sought such a deal for years — complaining that border crossings have become more onerous since Brexit, to the detriment of people living and working in the territory.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said the agreement meant that “the last wall on continental Europe” would disappear and free movement of people would reign.
The shape of the deal
To protect the integrity of the Schengen area, EU border controls will operate alongside British controls at the Rock’s airport — in a setup similar to the “juxtaposed controls” operating at London St Pancras Eurostar station.
The territory has also made some concessions on taxation — notably on its very low tobacco levies. Albares said the “tax convergence process” would “ensure everyone is treated fairly.”
While the deal includes a specific clause stating that it has no impact on the territory’s British sovereignty, it is unlikely to be welcomed by Euroskeptics back in the U.K. — for some of whom the territory is an emotive subject.
Asked whether EU border guards would be able to stop British nationals from entering the British Overseas Territory, the Spanish foreign minister said: “Of course the European agent — that in this case is the Spanish police — will guarantee the full integrity of the Schengen area.”