# New era for Gibraltar as 118-year-old border controls with Spain removed

Gibraltar and Spain have formally ended 118-year-old border controls, marking a new phase in their relationship. The move follows years of negotiations and is expected to ease travel and trade restrictions. This historic change resolves a long-standing source of tension and could reshape Gibraltar's ties with the European Union.

**Importance:** 4/5

## Sources

### World
- [BBC World](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwydz60j3eno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 23:29:06 GMT
- [BBC World](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cpd3d0d6zqzo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 10:19:34 GMT
- [The Guardian World](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jul/15/spain-gibraltar-celebrate-deal-signed-border-controls-uk-territory) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 09:38:27 GMT
- [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/7/15/gibraltar-border-controls-lifted-is-it-part-of-schengen-the-uk-or-both?traffic_source=rss) — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 10:45:04 +0000