Gibraltar–Spain border

The Gibraltar–Spain border is the international boundary between the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar and the Kingdom of Spain. Until the Schengen-era, it was also referred to as "The Fence of Gibraltar" (Spanish: La verja de Gibraltar) or simply "The Fence". The border runs from east to west for a total of 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) separating Gibraltar from the neighbouring Spanish municipality of La Línea de la Concepción. In 1909, a fence was erected at the border by the United Kingdom, establishing the current shape of the border. Since Gibraltar (like the United Kingdom) was outside the European Union's Schengen Area, identity checks were required to cross the border. On 31 December 2020, an agreement in principle had been agreed between Spain and the United Kingdom, for Gibraltar to become a de facto participant in the EU's Schengen Area while remaining a British Overseas Territory. The arrangements were formalized as part of the 2025 draft "Agreement in respect of Gibraltar between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, of the one part, and the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community, on the other part", which has not been signed, but which is planned to be provisionally applied from 1 April 2026. On 15 July 2026 at midnight, border controls were removed, ending centuries of closure and immigration and customs facilities were removed. Gibraltar is now treated as part of the Schengen Area.