Britons traveling to Gibraltar are now subject to new regulations, such as security screenings and passport inspections, upon arrival in the British Overseas Territory. According to travel journalist Simon Calder’s report in The Telegraph, these new rules, effective from July 15, are part of a post-Brexit agreement.
A UK-EU agreement signed in Brussels has established an open land border between Gibraltar and Spain. This agreement, which came into force on Wednesday, essentially integrates Gibraltar into the Schengen Zone, eliminating checkpoints and border barriers.
However, despite the removal of physical borders, stricter border controls have been implemented at Gibraltar’s airport. Travelers arriving at Joshua Hassan Gibraltar International Airport can expect two new check processes to gain entry into Gibraltar and the Schengen Area, including registration under the Entry/Exit System (EES).
To enter Gibraltar, UK passport holders must ensure that their passport was issued within the last 10 years and remains valid for at least three months beyond their intended departure date from Gibraltar or the Schengen Area.
British-Irish dual nationals using their Irish passport will be treated as EU citizens upon entry to Gibraltar and the Schengen Area, exempt from certain restrictions. However, those using their British passport must adhere to the specified conditions.
Previously, UK citizens visiting Gibraltar did not fall under the Schengen Area’s 90-day limit, undergoing a single immigration check by Gibraltarian authorities upon arrival. With the UK-EU Gibraltar Agreement now in effect, Gibraltar is subject to Schengen regulations.
Tourists could previously visit Gibraltar visa-free for up to 90 days, with only a valid passport required for the duration of their stay. However, the introduction of new regulations means that visitors to this territory bordering Spain will face additional requirements.
Simon explained that British passport holders traveling to Gibraltar will face enhanced checks from Spanish officials upon arrival to ensure compliance with passport validity rules and Schengen travel history limitations. Any time spent in Gibraltar will count towards the Schengen total stay duration.
Despite the stricter checks, Simon noted a positive aspect: visitors passing through airport inspections will be considered within the ‘frontier-free zone,’ allowing them to travel directly into Spain without further stops.