PROVISIONAL APPLICATION OF TRADE AND COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH GIBRALTAR
From 15 July 2026, the Agreement in respect of Gibraltar between the EU and the United Kingdom will provisionally apply, completing the legal framework governing EU-UK relations established by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, which did not cover Gibraltar’s status.
The agreement will integrate Gibraltar into the Schengen area and establish a customs union, removing physical border controls between Gibraltar and Spain and facilitating the movement of people and goods. It will also strengthen Gibraltar’s economic ties with Spain and the wider EU, introduce dual border checks at Gibraltar’s port and airport, and enable direct flight connections between Gibraltar and EU destinations.
The agreement follows negotiations between the EU, Spain, the UK, and Gibraltar, which began in October 2021 and concluded in June 2025 with a broad political agreement establishing a hybrid governance model involving all four parties. Following legal review and translation, the agreement will be presented to the Council for final signature before submission to the European Parliament for consent. The indicative plenary vote is currently scheduled for 14 December 2026.
Source: Council of the European Union