Gibraltar Brexit Deal: Details Remain Secret Ahead of April 10th Implementation

The European Commission has adopted proposals for the signing and provisional application of an agreement regarding Gibraltar between the European Union and the United Kingdom, moving the region closer to resolving a key post-Brexit issue. The move, announced Tuesday, aims to eliminate physical barriers to the movement of people and goods between Spain and Gibraltar while safeguarding the Schengen Area, the EU single market and its customs union.

The agreement, initially reached in principle on June 11, 2025, has been undergoing legal review since then, with the final text now in the hands of the Council of the European Union for consideration. The Commission’s announcement signals a significant step towards finalizing the deal, which is intended to complete the legal framework for EU-UK relations following the United Kingdom’s departure from the bloc in 2020. Gibraltar was specifically excluded from the initial Trade and Cooperation Agreement signed in 2020.

According to European Commission Commissioner for Trade, Security Economic Affairs, Relations with Institutions and Transparency, Maroš Šefčovič, the agreement is crucial for the long-term prosperity of the region. “With 15,000 people crossing daily between Gibraltar and Spain, This represents about legal certainty, confidence for businesses and people, as well as a cooperative future that strengthens our mutual relationship,” Šefčovič stated in a press release.

The proposed agreement comes as the April 10th deadline for provisional implementation approaches, though the full details of the agreement remain largely undisclosed. Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares has repeatedly called for swift approval of the agreement, urging members of the European Parliament to support it. During a recent appearance before the Spanish Congress, Albares described the agreement as “historic” and requested parliamentary backing.

However, the Spanish opposition People’s Party (PP) has raised concerns, citing Article 94.1 of the Spanish Constitution, which requires parliamentary authorization for treaties or conventions affecting Spain’s territorial integrity or involving significant financial obligations. The PP argues the agreement falls under these stipulations.

While details remain scarce in Brussels, London, and Madrid, the government of Gibraltar is taking a contrasting approach, actively disseminating information about the agreement. Gibraltar’s Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, has shared the text with the opposition leader, Keith Azopardi, and launched an information campaign targeting local institutions and businesses, citing the risk of leaks. The Gibraltarian Parliament and the UK Parliament have already validated the agreement.

The agreement aims to resolve the only remaining land border between the UK and the EU, aside from that with Ireland. Approximately 30,000 people cross the border daily, including 10,000 Spanish workers.

As of February 19, 2026, the European Parliament has not scheduled a debate or vote on the agreement for its March plenary session, and the Commission has stated the text is still being finalized. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not clarified when the agreement’s details will be made public or whether it will be subject to a vote in the Spanish Congress.