Can border controls be reintroduced between Gibraltar and the Schengen area under the 2026 UK/EU Treaty in relation to Gibraltar?
Short answer
Yes. The 2026 UK/EU Treaty in relation to Gibraltar allows either the Schengen Member States or the UK in respect of Gibraltar to reinstate border controls temporarily where there is a serious threat to public policy, public health or internal security. Such measures are limited in time and scope and must not exceed what is strictly necessary.
Detailed answer
Article 30(2) of the published draft allows reinstatement for up to 10 days, extendable in stages to a maximum of six months. The reinstating Party must inform the other of the grounds, duration, authorised crossing points and any mitigating measures that could be taken. Routine checks at the land frontier were removed when the Agreement began to apply provisionally on 15 July 2026, so this mechanism is the only route by which checks can return short of suspension or termination of the Agreement.