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<\/p>\nSpain, the United Kingdom and the European Union have finally published the long-awaited draft treaty that will govern Gibraltar\u2019s post-Brexit relationship with the continent. Running to more than 1,000 pages and 46 annexes, the document would demolish the physical frontier fence (\u201cla Verja\u201d), fold Gibraltar\u2019s port and airport into the Schengen area and create a joint customs territory covering the tiny British Overseas Territory and the neighbouring Spanish town of La L\u00ednea de la Concepci\u00f3n. <\/p>\n
Under the proposed \u201cdouble-key\u201d model, the National Police would conduct Schengen entry checks at Gibraltar\u2019s airport and seaport. Although the treaty stresses that it \u201cdoes not affect sovereignty,\u201d it hands Madrid a decisive say over who may enter or reside on the Rock: Spanish officers could block any non-EU national\u2014including Britons\u2014on public-security, health or migration grounds, and may deny or revoke residence permits. Spain will also be able to levy a new indirect tax (initially 15 %) and impose a minimum excise duty of \u20ac115 per 1,000 cigarettes to curb smuggling.<\/p>\n
For businesses the prize is friction-free trade. Gibraltar will join the EU customs union, removing routine goods inspections and enabling just-in-time supply chains for the 15,000 cross-border workers who commute daily. Hauliers will use new inland inspection posts in La L\u00ednea, Algeciras and Sagunto, avoiding congested frontier loops. The treaty also lays out mutual recognition rules for professional qualifications, environmental convergence and a three-year timetable to align indirect taxes with mainland Spain.<\/p>\n
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