Spain to check passports of Brits flying to Gibraltar under post-Brexit deal
Spain will check the passports of British passengers flying to Gibraltar under a post-Brexit deal.
The move, approved on Thursday, marks a breakthrough in discussions that have continued since Britain left the European Union in 2020.
Gibraltar is set to protect British sovereignty with a “fluid border” for both people and goods under a new draft deal with the EU.
The deal announced by the UK government and the Government of Gibraltar will eliminate routine passport checks at the Spain-Gibraltar border, benefiting the estimated 15,000 people who cross the border every day.
But more controversially there will be dual border control checks for arrivals from the UK, which will be carried out by both Gibraltar and Spanish authorities at Gibraltar airport.
Britain has also said it will also have a customs model specifically designed to “eliminate onerous goods checks”.
The draft agreement will not affect sovereignty and will preserve the UK’s autonomy over key military installations.
Gibraltar’s airport is operated by the Ministry of Defense and hosts an RAF base. There is also an important marine facility in overseas territories.
The deal follows decades of problems along the border with Spain, which claims Gibraltar as its own. This issue turned into a crisis for Gibraltarians when Britain left the EU, essentially ending freedom of movement with the rest of the bloc.
Gibraltar Prime Minister Fabian Picardo said the deal would “unlock new opportunities for growth” while preserving the “British way of life” in the Rock.
Foreign Secretary Stephen Doughty said this would ensure Gibraltar’s economy, people and future are “protected as an integral part of the British family”.
“By working closely with the Gibraltar government and not agreeing to anything without their consent, we have an agreement that preserves sovereignty and provides certainty when Gibraltar’s way of life is threatened,” he said.
“The UK’s commitment to Gibraltar will never waver.”
Mr Picardo said the deal would “absolutely” maintain his position, protect the economy and provide the certainty people and businesses need.
“This allows Gibraltar to look to the future with confidence, unlocking new opportunities for growth and prosperity while preserving our British way of life. This is a very good deal for individuals and businesses based in Gibraltar that will deliver huge growth for our economy.”
However, Conservatives criticized how the Treaty was explained.
Shadow foreign secretary Wendy Morton said: “This is a thousand-plus page deal containing profound constitutional changes that fundamentally reshape how Gibraltar’s border, airport and legal framework will operate, yet Parliament has not seen a single page of it.
“Gibraltar is British. Its people have repeatedly and overwhelmingly chosen to remain under British rule. Any agreement giving Spain new powers over entry, residence, infrastructure or enforcement must be scrutinized line by line by Parliament before it comes into force.
“Parliament cannot be expected to sign a blank cheque to the EU. We need to have the entire agreement before us before a single provision is allowed to come into force.”
Gibraltar was ceded to Britain by Spain under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, and the public is largely in favor of remaining a British overseas territory.
The last time a vote was given to a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain in 2002, almost 99% of Gibraltarians rejected the move.
Talks over the rules governing the border have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020.
The agreement, published in draft form on Thursday, still needs to be signed, ratified and implemented.
