Spain will check the passports of British travellers flying to Gibraltar under a post-Brexit treaty.
The move, confirmed on Thursday, marks a breakthrough in discussions that have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020.
Gibraltar is set to retain its British sovereignty, with a “fluid border” for both people and goods, under a new draft treaty with the EU.
The deal, unveiled by the UK government along with the Government of Gibraltar, will eliminate routine passport checks at the Spain-Gibraltar border, benefiting the estimated 15,000 individuals who cross over daily.
More controversially, however, there will be dual border control checks at Gibraltar airport for those arriving from the UK, which will be carried out by both Gibraltar and Spanish officials.
There will also be a tailored customs model to “eliminate burdensome goods checks”, the UK said.
The draft agreement does not affect sovereignty and will protect the UK autonomy over key military facilities.
Gibraltar’s airport is run by the Ministry of Defence and hosts an RAF base. The overseas territory also has an important naval facility.
The agreement comes after decades of problems at the border with Spain, which claims Gibraltar for its own. The issue became a crisis for Gibraltans when the UK left the EU and, in effect, ended freedom of movement with the rest of the bloc.
Chief minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo said the treaty would protect the “British way of life” on the Rock, while “unlocking new opportunities for growth”.
Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty said it would ensure that Gibraltar’s economy, people and future “are protected as an integral part of the British family.”
“Working closely with the government of Gibraltar – and agreeing nothing without their consent – we have a treaty that preserves sovereignty and delivers certainty when Gibraltar’s way of life was threatened,” he said.
“The UK’s commitment to Gibraltar will never falter.”
Mr Picardo said the agreement would “unequivocally” protects its position, safeguard the economy and deliver the certainty people and businesses need.
“It allows Gibraltar to look to the future with confidence, protecting our British way of life while unlocking new opportunities for growth and prosperity. It is an agreement that is very good for Gibraltar-based individuals and businesses that will deliver great growth for our economy.”
But the Tories hit out at how the Treaty had been unveiled.
Shadow foreign office minister Wendy Morton said: “This is a treaty of over a thousand pages with profound constitutional changes that fundamentally reshapes how Gibraltar’s border, airport and legal framework will operate, yet Parliament has not seen a single page of it.
“Gibraltar is British. Its people have repeatedly and overwhelmingly chosen to remain under British sovereignty. Any treaty that hands Spain new powers over entry, residency, infrastructure or enforcement must be examined line by line by Parliament before it takes effect.
“Parliament cannot be expected to sign a blank cheque to the EU. We need the full treaty in front of us before a single provision is allowed to take effect.”
Gibraltar was ceded to the UK by Spain under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 and the population is heavily in favour of remaining a British overseas territory.
The last time it voted on a proposal to share sovereignty with Spain, in 2002, almost 99% of Gibraltarians rejected the move.
Talks on rules governing the border have been ongoing since Britain left the European Union in 2020.
The treaty, published in draft form on Thursday, still needs to be signed, ratified an implemented.
