Gibraltar border reopening sign of vital progress in UK-EU talks

Campaigners have welcomed the ending of border checks between Spain and Gibraltar as a sign “vital progress” is being made on wider UK-EU talks.

At midnight on July 15, 2026, the physical border fence between the southern tip of Spain and the British Overseas Territory was removed, meaning thousands of people can cross freely every day.

It came after a historic treaty was agreed between the European Union (EU) and the UK, while negotiations are ongoing to secure agreements on food and drink, energy trading and youth mobility.

Tom Brufatto, Policy and Research Director at Best for Britain, which campaigns to reintegrate the UK with the EU to get Britain’s GDP growing again, said: 

“Ending border checks between Spain and Gibraltar is welcome news for the peninsula’s economy, its workforce, and for people living on both sides of the boundary – and the conclusion of successful negotiations also indicates vital progress is being made on wider UK-EU talks.

“With a new UK Prime Minister set to take office in the coming days, it’s a pertinent reminder of the crucial importance of our European friends and partners, and the need to ensure UK-EU relations are top of Andy Burnham’s in-tray.”