Overview
- Spain’s foreign minister, who addressed Congress Thursday, called the EU–UK Gibraltar accord historic and confirmed provisional application is now slated for July 15.
- The pact removes the land border gate to restore free movement between Gibraltar and Spain, which the government frames as a major change for daily cross‑border life.
- The agreement creates a customs setup for Gibraltar with new excise rules on alcohol, tobacco and fuel that ramp up from 15% and cannot sit below the EU’s lowest rate, a measure reported as aimed at curbing smuggling.
- Madrid says it will gain new tools that include access to databases on people crossing, insight into residence permits, and a veto over proposed new nationalities linked to Gibraltar.
- The PP and local leaders in the Campo de Gibraltar attack the terms as concessions, while EU capitals have backed provisional application and Spanish authorities prepare border and security procedures for the gate’s removal.