Border controls between Spain and Gibraltar end after 118 years

After more than a century, the border between Spain and the British territory of Gibraltar has opened, with controls ending on July 15, 2026. This change follows a new agreement between the European Union and Great Britain, effectively dismantling the barrier that has separated the two for 118 years.

The border's history is deeply intertwined with political tensions. A fence was erected in 1908, and relations soured significantly under Spanish dictator Francisco Franco. Following his death and Spain's transition to democracy, the border was eventually reopened. However, Franco had previously closed the border in May 1969, a move that profoundly affected Gibraltar's economy and its relationship with Spain.

Gibraltar's status as a British territory dates back to the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, which ceded the peninsula to Great Britain during the War of the Spanish Succession. Spain made unsuccessful attempts to reclaim the territory in the 18th century. The inhabitants of Gibraltar have consistently voted to remain under British rule, with over 99 percent choosing British sovereignty in a 1967 referendum.

The new agreement, intrinsically linked to Brexit, seeks to establish a new framework for the relationship between Gibraltar and Spain. It is expected to have significant implications for people, the economy, and tourism in the region, aiming to facilitate movement and economic exchange after decades of separation and control.