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Date Published: 26/08/2025

Spain and UK plan demolition of Gibraltar border fence in January 2026

The landmark step aims to boost daily cross-border movement between Gibraltar and Spain

Spain and the United Kingdom are preparing to demolish the Gibraltar border fence in January 2026, removing the last visible symbol of division between the British Overseas Territory and the Spanish town of La Línea de la Concepción.

The plan follows the political agreement reached in June between London, Madrid and Brussels on Gibraltar’s post-Brexit status, which paved the way for free movement of people and goods between the Rock and mainland Spain.

According to reports in El País and confirmation from sources close to the negotiations, the European Commission is expected to present the final treaty text in October, with ratification planned for December. Once approved, the dismantling of the fence will formally begin in the new year.

Read also: Gibraltar travel guide—New rules, border controls and documentation

The fence, which has long marked the border between Spain and Gibraltar, will disappear as part of the agreement that aims to integrate Gibraltar more closely into the Schengen travel area. Around 15,000 people cross the border daily, many of them workers who live in Spain but are employed in Gibraltar.

The June deal not only resolved the last outstanding Brexit issue between the UK and the EU but also signalled a new phase in relations. It included provisions for joint controls at Gibraltar’s port and airport and established closer police and judicial cooperation, ensuring smooth travel without compromising sovereignty.

The announcement has been warmly received in La Línea de la Concepción, the Spanish town that directly borders Gibraltar, where the mayor, Juan Franco, described the demolition plan as “very good news” for his municipality. Speaking to EFE, he noted that the border facilities are located on La Línea’s land, meaning the changes will have a direct impact on the town.

Franco confirmed that the municipality has recently amended its General Urban Development Plan (PGOU), which until now assumed the continued existence of a border.

The land next to the current checkpoint is earmarked for future projects, including a technology centre and new housing.

However, Franco did express concerns about the potential impact on property prices once cross-border restrictions are lifted, particularly if demand for housing rises as a result of easier transit.

The June agreement also opens the possibility of new transport links. Domestic flights between Gibraltar and Madrid are now on the table, a move that could significantly increase the Rock’s connectivity with the rest of Spain.

Whatever happens, one thing is true – that after decades of dispute and years of post-Brexit uncertainty, the removal of a physical barrier between Spain and Gibraltar is expected to ease daily life for thousands of people crossing the border, and it is a visual representation of the continuing good relations between Spain and the UK.

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