Joint statement on the negotiations for an EU-United Kingdom Agreement on Gibraltar

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, the European Commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, the UK Foreign Minister, David Lammy, and the Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo

Building on the significant progress achieved at the previous political meetings in 2024 and the intensive work carried out by the negotiating teams since then to resolve outstanding issues, today's negotiations have resulted in a final political agreement on the key aspects of the future EU-United Kingdom Agreement on Gibraltar. The future agreement safeguards the respective legal positions of Spain and the UK on sovereignty and jurisdiction.

The main objective of the future agreement is to ensure the future prosperity of the whole region. To this end, all physical barriers, checks and controls on people and goods moving between Spain and Gibraltar will be removed, while preserving the Schengen area, the EU Single Market and the Customs Union. This will bring confidence, legal certainty and well-being to people throughout the region, promoting shared prosperity and close and constructive relations between the Gibraltarian and Spanish authorities.

For people, the parties agreed to establish dual Gibraltar and Schengen border controls at the port and airport of Gibraltar, to be carried out through full cooperation between the EU and UK/Gibraltar authorities, removing all controls at the Gibraltar/La Linea crossing point for the many thousands of people crossing daily in both directions. On the EU side, Spain will carry out full Schengen controls. On the UK side, full Gibraltar controls will continue to be carried out as at present. They have also agreed on visa and permit arrangements and close cooperation between law enforcement and judicial authorities.

For goods, the parties agreed on the principles underpinning the future customs union between the EU and Gibraltar, maintaining close cooperation between the respective customs authorities and eliminating controls on goods. An agreement was also reached on the principles of indirect taxation to be applied in Gibraltar, including tobacco - which will avoid distortions and contribute to the prosperity of the whole region.

Other important aspects of the future EU-UK agreement include level playing field commitments on state aid, taxation, labour, environment, trade and sustainable development, anti-money laundering and transport - including the airport; cross-border workers' rights and social security coordination. Specific cooperation on the environment will also be included. The creation of an appropriate financial mechanism to promote cohesion and support training and employment in the region has also been agreed.

Today's agreement was reached as a shared commitment to European security.

The way is now clear for the negotiating teams to rapidly finalise the full legal text and proceed with the respective internal procedures leading to the signature and ratification of the future Agreement.

The parties are confident that this agreement will promote prosperity and bring confidence, legal certainty and stability to the lives and well-being of people throughout the region.

Non official translation