Gibraltar–Spain border: Difference between revisions

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36°09′18″N 5°20′54″W / 36.154933°N 5.348363°W / 36.154933; -5.348363

The Gibraltar–Spain border is the international boundary^[1] between the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar and Spain. It is also referred to as Spanish: La frontera de Gibraltar (The frontier of Gibraltar) or simply as The Frontier.^[2]

The border runs east-west for a total of 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) separating Gibraltar from the neighbouring Spanish municipality of La Línea de la Concepción.^[3] Since the United Kingdom is outside the European Union's Schengen Area, Gibraltar is too and therefore, identity checks are required to cross the border.^[4]

History

The frontier has not always been marked by a barrier. In 1909 Britain was aware of the need to reduce the number of sentries and built a fence 7 ft (c. 2m) high,^[5] however there was suspicion about the motives for the fence.^[6]

Spain closed the border to vehicles in 1969 and again completely later on in the year following heightened tensions with Britain as a result of the disputed status of Gibraltar. The border was not fully reopened until February 1985.

In 2013, due to growing tensions between Gibraltar (backed by Britain) and Spain, the Spanish border control began to search every passing car, creating queues on both sides of the border which were several hours long.

Customs and identity checks

Customs and identity checks on the Spanish side of the border are carried out by the Spanish Civil Guard and the Spanish National Police. Customs and identity checks on the Gibraltar side of the border are carried out by Gibraltar Customs.

Important treaties

• Treaty of Utrecht (1713) - The Spanish Crown formally ceded the territory in perpetuity to the British Crown in 1713, under Article X of the Treaty of Utrecht.

References

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Border crossings of Gibraltar.

• Disputed status of Gibraltar
• Ceuta border fence
• Melilla border fence