In brief
At midnight Saturday, Gibraltar chief minister Fabian Picardo pulled the barbed‑wire fence that divided the British overseas territory from Spain, ending a century of border checks. The ceremony symbolised the coming into force of a treaty that places Gibraltar within the EU’s Schengen free‑movement zone, easing crossings for goods and people. Festive crowds, fireworks and cheers greeted the new era of integration following Brexit, marking a historic moment for the region.
Large crowds gathered at the Gibraltar‑Spain border overnight into Wednesday as the fence dividing the British overseas territory from the EU member country was pulled down. The symbolic ceremony took place at midnight, when a new treaty came into force removing the need for border checks at the crossing.
The agreement, negotiated for years after Brexit, makes Gibraltar part of the EU’s Schengen Area of free movement, easing the crossing for goods and people. Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo pulled the fence down with a rope, before hundreds celebrated at the frontier.
More on this story: New era for Gibraltar with removal of 118‑year‑old border controls with Spain
