Overview
- Leaders of the EU and the UK formally signed the Gibraltar arrangement in Brussels and the deal entered into force at midnight on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.
- Schengen entry rules now apply at the land crossing so people and vehicles cross without routine passport checks while Gibraltar is not made a full Schengen member.
- About 15,000 to 15,500 daily cross‑border workers stand to benefit from the end of long queue times at the land frontier.
- The agreement pairs freer movement with new customs and indirect‑tax changes, including EU‑aligned goods rules and a transaction‑style tax that replaces some import duties.
- The historic metal border fence has begun to be dismantled and immediate security and operational steps such as retained checks at the airport and harbour, video surveillance, and phased implementation of controls have started while the sovereignty dispute remains politically unresolved.