Spain to impose hard border on Gibraltar after Brexit talks stall
Spain will soon impose a hard border on Gibraltar because there is no Brexit deal for the Rock, authorities on the British territory have warned.
Gibraltar’s government has told residents they will face full Brexit border controls for the first time once new EU border systems are in place in November.
Madrid had taken a relaxed view of EU travel rules for Gibraltarians who cross the busy land border with Spain since Brexit took practical effect at the end of 2020.
This was to allow for negotiations over a new common travel area between Gibraltar and the EU’s passport-free Schengen Zone, but these talks have remained deadlocked.
Gibraltar warns of retaliation
Now, the territory’s government has said in a “technical notice” that two EU automated border systems are scheduled to come into force in November and will be operated by Spain.
The new systems would subject Gibraltarians to tighter controls, including a 90-day limit on visa-free travel to the EU every 180 days, and a requirement to submit their fingerprints and facial photos in automated border booths before entering Spain, the notice said.
Residents could also have to explain to border guards why they wanted to enter.
The Gibraltar government warned it would retaliate with its own new controls if no deal was agreed with the EU, raising the risk of delays on the land border, which have historically coincided with moments of political tension with Spain.
Since Brexit, Spanish border guards have allowed Rock residency card holders to enter and leave Spain without having their passports stamped or using up their 90-day visa-free travel limit, which has been vital for Gibraltarians with second homes or those shopping in Spain.
In return, the roughly 15,000 Spanish workers crossing the border, who are vital for the economy on both sides of the isthmus frontier, are allowed to enter Gibraltar easily.
Brussels plans to introduce the new automated entry/exit system for the Schengen zone in November. It is an automated replacement for passport stamping but requires biometric data the first time it is used by a non-EU citizen.
It will precede a new travel pre-authorisation scheme to enter the zone called the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, which is scheduled to take effect in 2025 and will mean Rock residents have to pay a €7 application fee every three years to cross the border.
“The public will be aware that, in line with their Schengen obligations, the Spanish border authorities have commenced the installation of the relevant infrastructure,” the Gibraltar government said.
Relations were recently strained after Spanish footballers chanted “Gibraltar is Spanish” while celebrating their victory over England in Euro 24.
Sovereignty fears and snap election caused delay
The Brexit deal for Gibraltar was meant to move the border to Gibraltar’s nearby airport and make the territory effectively part of Schengen.
However, it foundered under the last Conservative government because of sovereignty concerns.
Backbench Tory Brexiteers feared the deal would mean British subjects having to show their passports to EU border guards to enter Gibraltar, which Spain views as a colony.
Negotiations were further delayed after Rishi Sunak called the snap general election.
Sir Keir Starmer held bilateral talks with Pedro Sanchez, the prime minister of Spain, at the recent European Political Community summit held at Blenheim Palace.
The Prime Minister said his reset of relations with the EU could “forge the way” to finally agreeing a deal for The Rock. Both men underlined their desire for a deal but set no deadline for the agreement.
“We were very close to reaching an agreement with the previous government, but the elections in the United Kingdom were brought forward,” Mr Sanchez told reporters.
A spokesman for the Spanish foreign ministry told The Telegraph: “We do not want to make any comment at the moment.”
The European Commission and UK Government were asked for comment.