Gibraltar-Spain agreement paves way for open border and Spanish controlled air terminal
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory. It is bordered by Spain to the north and sits at the entrance to the Mediterranean. However, Gibraltar being part of the British crown, the territory left the EU along with the UK in January 2020, although Gibraltarians had voted overwhelming to remain in the EU in the 2016 UK referendum on EU membership.
The UK, EU, Spain and Gibraltar announced on 11 June 2025 that they had agreed the core aspects of a future formal treaty between the EU and the UK in respect of Gibraltar.
Maintaining the fluidity of people’s movements across the border is of utmost importance for the British territory. Some 14,400 EU citizens work in Gibraltar, including over 9,000 Spaniards, who commute daily from the border town of La Línea de la Concepción. This number represents over half of Gibraltar’s workforce.
Open borders to help people’s fluidity of movements
The agreement is also essential for Gibraltar tourism. According to data from various Gibraltar authorities and institutions, the territory received in 2023 over 9.3 million visitors. An overwhelming share came by land over the border (8.79 million equivalent to 94.5% of all arrivals). By comparison, Gibraltar airport welcomed in 2023 a mere 235,000 passengers while cruise passengers topped 272,000.
The main objective of the agreement is to secure the future prosperity of the whole region. This will be done by removing all physical barriers, checks and controls on persons and goods circulating between Spain and Gibraltar, while preserving the Schengen area, the EU Single Market and Customs Union.
In the area of persons, the parties agreed to establish dual Gibraltar and Schengen border checks at Gibraltar port and airport. The full cooperation between the EU and UK/Gibraltar authorities will remove all checks at the crossing point between Gibraltar and La Linea.
For the EU, Spain border guards will carry out full Schengen checks. For the UK, full Gibraltar checks will continue in their current form.
A Spanish domestic air terminal at Gibraltar airport ?
Better fluidity will also radically transform air travel to the British territory. Spain is now looking at developing its own passenger terminal at Gibraltar airport. It follows proposals to create a cross-border transport hub serving more than 120,000 residents.
According to a memorandum drafted by the La Linea city hall this month, the disappearance of border controls between Gibraltar and Spain creates a unique opportunity to transform the airport into a fully integrated facility serving both sides.
Establishing a Spanish presence at the airport would enable direct commercial air routes to and from Spanish territory. It will enhance regional connectivity. La Linea’s economy will strengthen through increased airport-related services and activities.
Currently, Gibraltar airport has only flights to the UK with two daily flights from British Airways to London Heathrow. EasyJet flies daily to London Gatwick and Manchester. It also has 3 weekly flights to Bristol and 2 weekly to Birmingham.
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
San Antonio on the Rise: David Gonzalez Talks Travel, Culture, and Growth
Anna Marie Presutti on San Francisco’s Tourism Revival and Global Outlook
Exploring Brooklands Museum with Alex Patterson
Global Tourism Challenges and Upcoming Events: A Conversation with Don Welsh
Peebles Barbeque: A Legacy of Flavor and Tradition
Exploring Bok Tower Gardens with Erica Smith
Smarter Reservations: AI, Customer Experience, and Dylan Ratigan’s Master Plan
Royal Caribbean issues Legionnaires’ disease warning
Aer Lingus revs up for Europe’s only direct Indianapolis route
HotelPlanner partners with London Design Biennale
Payday booking spikes replacing traditional peaks