In a TVE interview on 27 February 2026, Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares set out Madrid’s priorities for the Gibraltar accord published the same day. Albares underlined that the treaty eliminates the Verja fence, embeds Gibraltar in Schengen passenger checks and the EU customs union, and levels indirect taxes to curb shopping distortions. The minister highlighted security gains—"Spain will be present at all controls of people and goods"—and environmental safeguards via a new bilateral committee overseeing land-reclamation and waste-discharge disputes in the Bay of Algeciras.
He also promised a seamless transition for the 15,000 existing and “future” frontier workers whose livelihoods depend on daily crossings.
![Spanish Foreign Minister: ‘We’ve Waited 313 Years; A Few More Months Is Worth the Treaty’]()
If you’re one of those commuters—or simply a traveler assessing the new Schengen arrangements—VisaHQ can help you navigate the updated entry requirements. The platform provides real-time guidance and application support for Spain and surrounding territories, taking the hassle out of securing short-stay or long-term permits. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/spain/
Asked about the timeline, Albares quipped: “We have waited 313 years since Utrecht; we can wait a couple more months,” but urged Spanish MEPs to fast-track ratification so the pact can be applied provisionally before the summer. Works to remodel border facilities began this week, he said, adding that the disappearance of the fence is a **pre-condition** for the treaty’s entry into force. For employers in the Campo de Gibraltar industrial cluster—ship repair, renewable-energy logistics and fintech back-offices—the minister’s comments signal political momentum that reduces contingency-planning risk around workforce access and trucking routes.
He also promised a seamless transition for the 15,000 existing and “future” frontier workers whose livelihoods depend on daily crossings.
If you’re one of those commuters—or simply a traveler assessing the new Schengen arrangements—VisaHQ can help you navigate the updated entry requirements. The platform provides real-time guidance and application support for Spain and surrounding territories, taking the hassle out of securing short-stay or long-term permits. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/spain/
Asked about the timeline, Albares quipped: “We have waited 313 years since Utrecht; we can wait a couple more months,” but urged Spanish MEPs to fast-track ratification so the pact can be applied provisionally before the summer. Works to remodel border facilities began this week, he said, adding that the disappearance of the fence is a **pre-condition** for the treaty’s entry into force. For employers in the Campo de Gibraltar industrial cluster—ship repair, renewable-energy logistics and fintech back-offices—the minister’s comments signal political momentum that reduces contingency-planning risk around workforce access and trucking routes.
