A new era began on Wednesday, July 15th, 2026, as border checks between Spain and Gibraltar, a British territory at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, were officially lifted. Several dozen people and vehicles crossed from Spain into Gibraltar shortly after midnight without undergoing customs checks for the first time.

Several hundred people gathered to witness the historic moment, waving Spanish flags. Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, declared, “Europe is back.”

Gibraltar, home to about 40,000 residents, depends on approximately 15,500 workers who commute daily from Spain. Previously, border checks often caused long lines and tensions, especially during periods of dispute between Britain and Spain, which claims sovereignty over the territory known as “The Rock.”

The removal of border controls follows an agreement reached between Brussels and London after Britain’s exit from the European Union in 2020.

This development signals a significant shift in the relationship between Spain and Gibraltar, easing longstanding frustrations related to border crossings.

Sources