Five months after London, Madrid, Brussels and Gibraltar signed their draft post-Brexit treaty, Spanish media reports dated 22 January confirm that technical teams are preparing to remove the physical fence at La Verja “in the first weeks of 2026.” The move would end routine passport and customs checks for the 15,000 daily commuters who cross between Gibraltar and the Andalusian town of La Línea de la Concepción.
Under the blueprint, Gibraltar would join the EU customs territory and apply Schengen rules at its port and airport through dual ‘Eurostar-style’ controls staffed by both Spanish and Gibraltarian officers. Land crossings would become internal Schengen passages, meaning travellers would no longer need to present documents unless targeted for secondary inspection.
For anyone wondering how to navigate the evolving travel landscape, VisaHQ can streamline the process. Their platform (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) offers real-time updates on Schengen entry requirements, personalised 90/180-day calculators, and professional assistance with any visas or permits that may still be needed during the transition—helping commuters and companies stay compliant without hassle.
![Treaty Advances Clear Path to Dismantle Gibraltar–Spain Land Border in Early 2026]()
For businesses, the implications are significant. Companies headquartered on “The Rock” would gain friction-free access to Spanish suppliers and talent, while Andalusian firms could expand cross-border service contracts without administratively exporting goods. Mobility teams, however, will need to adjust 90/180-day tracking: time spent in Gibraltar is expected to start counting against Schengen stay limits once the arrangement takes effect.
Spanish trade unions welcome the prospect of eliminating queues that often stretch for hours, but caution that harmonising tax regimes—particularly on tobacco—could disrupt local retail jobs. Meanwhile, the EU’s new Entry/Exit System will not be activated at the Gibraltar crossing during its six-month soft-launch, giving authorities more time to integrate databases.
Formal ratification of the treaty is due in October 2025, yet officials told El País that infrastructure works are already being tendered. If timelines hold, global-mobility planners should begin rewriting assignment policies and travel-expense frameworks for staff who shuttle between Spain and Gibraltar on a daily or weekly basis.
Under the blueprint, Gibraltar would join the EU customs territory and apply Schengen rules at its port and airport through dual ‘Eurostar-style’ controls staffed by both Spanish and Gibraltarian officers. Land crossings would become internal Schengen passages, meaning travellers would no longer need to present documents unless targeted for secondary inspection.
For anyone wondering how to navigate the evolving travel landscape, VisaHQ can streamline the process. Their platform (https://www.visahq.com/spain/) offers real-time updates on Schengen entry requirements, personalised 90/180-day calculators, and professional assistance with any visas or permits that may still be needed during the transition—helping commuters and companies stay compliant without hassle.
For businesses, the implications are significant. Companies headquartered on “The Rock” would gain friction-free access to Spanish suppliers and talent, while Andalusian firms could expand cross-border service contracts without administratively exporting goods. Mobility teams, however, will need to adjust 90/180-day tracking: time spent in Gibraltar is expected to start counting against Schengen stay limits once the arrangement takes effect.
Spanish trade unions welcome the prospect of eliminating queues that often stretch for hours, but caution that harmonising tax regimes—particularly on tobacco—could disrupt local retail jobs. Meanwhile, the EU’s new Entry/Exit System will not be activated at the Gibraltar crossing during its six-month soft-launch, giving authorities more time to integrate databases.
Formal ratification of the treaty is due in October 2025, yet officials told El País that infrastructure works are already being tendered. If timelines hold, global-mobility planners should begin rewriting assignment policies and travel-expense frameworks for staff who shuttle between Spain and Gibraltar on a daily or weekly basis.
