Gibraltar-Spain border fence removed as post-Brexit treaty takes effect

A new treaty removing border checks came into force at midnight, with the symbolic removal of the fence dividing the British territory from Spain.

• Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo pulled down the fence with a rope at the frontier, as hundreds celebrated.
• The treaty, signed in Brussels, makes Gibraltar part of the EU's Schengen area and gives Spain responsibility for Schengen controls at the territory's airport and port.
• Picardo said the treaty does not affect Gibraltar's British sovereignty.
• Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is scheduled to travel to La Línea de la Concepción to witness the removal of the last section of the fence.

Latest developments

• Jul 15 — The treaty has replaced physical border checkpoints with a digital surveillance system including cameras and facial recognition.
• Jul 15 — Crowds have celebrated by crossing freely between La Línea de la Concepción and Gibraltar following the fence removal.