Gibraltar-Spain Fence to Be Dismantled in January 2026
The 1.2km fence dividing Spain and Gibraltar is set to be dismantled in January 2026, eliminating daily checks for the 15,000 frontier workers who cross into Gibraltar from Spain, reports 24brussels.
Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares has labeled the barrier “the last wall in Western Europe.” Its removal is a pivotal element of a broader post-Brexit agreement reached in June involving London, Brussels, and Madrid.
The dismantling of la Verja (the fence), which delineates Gibraltar from the Spanish town of La Línea de la Concepción in Cádiz province, still requires a finalized draft accord to be approved by the European Commission. Albares stated that the text will be “fully drafted by autumn.”
This agreement will abolish ID checks for the 15,000 workers residing in Spain who cross daily into Gibraltar, an essential component for the territory’s economy.
However, dual Spanish/Schengen and British passport controls will remain in effect at Gibraltar’s ports and airports.
The arrangement will also eliminate checks on goods exchanged between both territories and lays a foundation for future trade, security, and fiscal collaboration among the EU, Spanish, and Gibraltar authorities.
In Madrid, the government hailed the deal as a historic step towards “guaranteeing the future prosperity of the entire region.” Conversely, the opposition criticized the agreement as a political capitulation and a concession of Spain’s territorial claims over the disputed enclave.
Spain’s centre-right Popular Party asserted it would “not cease to demand sovereignty over Gibraltar,” as stated by party leader Alberto Núñez Feijóo, emphasizing that any deal concerning Gibraltar “must be backed by parliament.”
Spain ceded Gibraltar to Britain in 1713 under the Treaty of Utrecht and has consistently sought to regain control of the territory, previously through military and now diplomatic means.
In a 2002 referendum, nearly 99% of Gibraltarians voted against any arrangement involving shared sovereignty with Spain.
After the summer recess, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will initiate his agenda with a visit to London for a bilateral meeting with UK Premier Keir Starmer, where Gibraltar is anticipated to be a focal point of discussion.
The foreign ministry and the PP did not respond to requests for comment at the time of publication.
