Gibraltar plans awareness campaign ahead of new border rules

Gibraltar’s tourist board is planning a public awareness campaign about dual border control checks, which come into force on July 15.

From that date, British citizens flying into Gibraltar from the UK, who are not Gibraltar residents, will face a check from Gibraltarian officials and then a Schengen check, carried out by the Spanish authorities on behalf of the Schengen Area.

This includes registration under the Entry/Exit System (EES) where it applies.

Once visitors have cleared these checks, they can move freely across the land border into Spain and the wider Schengen Area.

More: New Gibraltar border checks set to come into force on July 15

Gibraltar airport arrivals to show passports to Spanish officials

British-Irish dual nationals who travel on an Irish passport will be treated as an EU citizen on entry to Gibraltar and the Schengen Area.  

Gibraltar Tourist Board said its social media team will be filming at the airport next week to show visitors what to expect on arrival. It anticipates the videos will be shared online towards the end of next week.

Jonathan Scott, Gibraltar representative to UK, said: “Gibraltar shares this [information] with real optimism. The treaty gives Gibraltar the legal certainty and stability on which a thriving visitor economy depends.

“It secures Gibraltar’s enduring ties with the UK while building the closest possible relationship with the European Union – and it makes our land border more fluid: once visitors have cleared entry, they can easily move into Spain and the wider Schengen Area.

“A safe, secure and beneficial agreement, bespoke to Gibraltar’s needs, positions Gibraltar – a proudly British destination at the gateway to the Mediterranean – for new regional connections and itineraries with our neighbours.”

Visitors can also check the latest position before travelling on the UK Foreign Office’s Gibraltar page.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias) will also apply once it is operational.