Gibraltar celebrates its national day as it looks ahead to easier border crossings with Spain
Gibraltarians came together on Wednesday to celebrate National Day, marking the occasion months before the anticipated dismantling of a fence that separates the contested territory from Spain at the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula.
This year’s celebration holds special significance following the agreement reached between the European Union and the U.K. in June to facilitate cross-border trade and travel in Gibraltar.
The festivities commemorate the 1967 referendum where Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain part of the U.K. rather than join Spain, which was under the rule of Gen. Francisco Franco at the time.
Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo noted the added significance of this year’s celebrations.
The recent agreement stipulates the removal of all physical barriers, checks, and controls on movement between Spain and Gibraltar, including the fence that thousands of people cross daily.
The deal is set to come into effect in the first half of 2026, resolving a longstanding issue following Brexit in 2020.
Gibraltar’s sovereignty has been a point of contention between Britain and Spain since it was ceded to Britain in 1713. Despite this, the relationship between the two countries continues to evolve.
In the 2016 Brexit referendum, 96% of Gibraltarians voted to remain in the EU, highlighting the territory’s reliance on access to the EU market for its population of 34,000 residents.
