Workmen on the Spanish side of the border between Spain and Gibraltar have begun dismantling border checkpoints and related structures in preparation for the implementation of a frictionless land border, a development marking a significant change after more than three centuries. This activity comes ahead of the scheduled introduction of the new border arrangements on July 15.

The changes follow a post-Brexit agreement aimed at eliminating the traditional land border between the British overseas territory and Spain, facilitating the daily movement of approximately 15,000 workers without passport checks. Under the new arrangement, the effective border will shift to the Gibraltar airport, where arrivals from the United Kingdom will undergo passport control by Gibraltarian officials followed by Spanish border authorities, who will hold ultimate authority over entry. Similar procedures will apply to arrivals by sea.

Visual footage captured on the eve of the tenth anniversary of the Brexit referendum shows Spanish workers removing police auxiliary buildings and border controls. On Gibraltar’s side, scaffolding has been erected around checkpoint canopies, which are slated for removal shortly. The Royal Gibraltar Police booths used for checks are also set to be dismantled as the territory becomes part of the EU’s Schengen border-free area. Eventually, the wire fence marking the isthmus border will be completely removed.

Since the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, Gibraltar faced the prospect of a hard border, as it effectively became an external frontier of the EU. This raised concerns reminiscent of border restrictions experienced during Spain’s Franco era. The imposition of full passport controls on the daily influx of trans-frontier workers was widely regarded as potentially devastating for Gibraltar’s economy.

Negotiations to resolve the border issue spanned four years, culminating in an agreement announced by the UK and the European Commission in June of the previous year. The agreement’s detailed provisions were published earlier this spring and are expected to receive formal approval from the European Council shortly. Spanish media have reported that the accord may be officially signed on July 13 in Brussels.