In brief
In a symbolic midnight ceremony, Gibraltar's Chief Minister Fabian Picardo pulled the 118‑year‑old border fence off the territory, marking the end of its separation from Spain. The move follows a treaty that came into force after Brexit, enshrining Gibraltar into the EU's Schengen free‑movement zone. Residents and officials celebrated overnight, as crowds gathered at the frontier to witness the dismantling of the once‑rigid border. The new agreement eliminates the need for border checks for goods and travellers, promising smoother movement across the peninsula. The event underscores the evolving relationship between Britain and the EU, tightening ties that have long remained fragile.
At midnight on Friday, the 25‑metre‑long fence that had divided Gibraltar from Spain was taken down in a symbolic ceremony attended by thousands of Gibraltarians, friends and officials. The removal marks the end of a 118‑year‑old separation between the British overseas territory and the EU member state.
The fence’s dismantling follows a treaty that entered into force earlier that day, removing the need for border checks at the crossing. Henceforth, Gibraltar will be part of the EU’s Schengen Area, enabling freer movement of goods and people across its borders.
Chief Minister Fabian Picardo pulled the fence down with a rope before the celebratory crowd. The ceremony was watched by a stream of people who gathered overnight, chanting and cheering in the historic frontier of the peninsula.
This development comes after years of negotiation and debate in the context of Brexit, closing a chapter that had once signalled a deeply divided relationship between Britain and Spain.
