La Linea mayor: Spanish police carrying out dual checks at Gibraltar airport once treaty is signed ‘doesn’t make sense’

La Linea mayor: Spanish police carrying out dual checks at Gibraltar airport once treaty is signed ‘doesn’t make sense’


THE mayor of La Linea questioned whether the Spanish police would actually conduct double passport check on passengers arriving in Gibraltar after signing the treaty.

A deal between the UK, EU and Spain has long been anticipated. However, one of its most controversial aspects is the fact that Spanish officers will be performing Schengen check on Brits or Gibraltarians travelling to the Rock. This is because of the implications it would have for the sovereignty of both countries. 

But during an interview on his vision for the future, La Linea mayor Juan Franco told the Olive Press he believes that ‘once everything is signed and the border is gone’ the concept will be quietly binned as it ‘doesn’t make sense’.

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The hard border will soon be opened with Spain and Gibraltar

“The control will be joint, with an integrated computer system,” he explained, which – in his view – negates the need for the dual checks as ‘it wouldn’t make sense’.

“The normal thing, I believe – though I don’t know for sure – is that the registration will be done by the British or Gibraltarian police using a computer system that I assume will be connected to the Spanish database.

“There will be no need for additional checks because, once you enter the Schengen area through Gibraltar you have already entered it. It’s been logged into the system.”

Will there be double checks? I’m not sure, but I doubt it. If you had asked me 30 years ago, my answer would have been: Of course.

“But after everything is signed, and the border has disappeared, it’s normal that there is only one check and that the databases are connected. 

READ MORE The largest aircraft carrier on earth is escorted by a Spanish frigate past Gibraltar, as the US strike group moves east  

Gibraltar Airport British Airways eGibraltar Airport British Airways e
Airport management has been under scrutiny.

We do not know whether it was an officer from Gibraltar on that day or one from Spain.

He added, “I’m not the one with all the information; I’m only telling you what I’d do.”

He explained that ‘whether or not there’s a Spanish terminal, the control will be the same – for both Gibraltarians and Spaniards.’

“Imagine; for a Gibraltar–Madrid flight, I use my ID, and when the officer stops me, they check it just as though I were flying from Malaga to Madrid.”

Many on Gibraltar and in the UK are concerned about the loss of sovereignty that comes with the Spanish police controlling the entry to Gibraltar.

Franco is more optimistic.

“Let me give you a fact – under Spanish law, any person who resides more than 183 days in Spain has to pay income tax. 

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Juan FrancoJuan Franco
La Linea mayor Juan Franco

“Once Gibraltar opens its borders fully, there is no way of monitoring the 34,000 Gibraltarians. 

“I could be in a position where I find myself in a situation in which people live in Spain and work in Gibraltar. They earn money in Gibraltar but because they are not registered in Spain they do not pay tax in Spain.

It’s a question of sovereignty. “I believe everyone must give some ground in this case.” 

He added: “Because it’s me who will be paying for all the roads these people use.”

The deal itself the mayor labelled as a ‘historic opportunity.’

“Let me explain: if we stick to the old ways of thinking – sovereignty, flags, territorial waters and all that – then we won’t get anywhere. 

“But, if we take a broader view and consider that we live in the 21st Century, then Spain has to give up some of its sovereignty in order to enjoy a better life. 

READ MORE: Ex-Gibraltar police chief claims vindication as audit reveals £2m pay-offs to outgoing officers

“For example, we don’t control our monetary policy – and money is one of the strongest expressions of sovereignty. 

“But do we feel less Spanish because we use the euro instead?” 

This opens up an enormous window of opportunity to everyone. 

“Yes, it’s true, there will be a period of adjustment and yes, there will be problems.” 

“But what matters is that we work together to get through it — for the sake of the people. 

“Consider the worst-case scenarios: Hard border controls. 15 000 people will not be able get to work. 

Tourists won’t have the ability to enter Gibraltar. Gibraltarians won’t be able to get to their second homes, or go shopping, or have a drink in La Línea.

“So, let’s focus our attention on coexistence. And by the way, neither Spain nor the UK is giving up sovereignty – just look at the waters around the Rock. 

READ MORE Spain envisions its own terminal at Gibraltar airport in a ‘joint hub of over 120,000 people’

Some people claim to belong to one group, while others say the opposite. This issue will not be resolved.

However, Spain will finally acknowledge that the airport sits within the single Schengen space — ‘and that’s hugely important.’ 

It will be good both for Gibraltar and for us. Which is better? To keep fighting over ownership, or to accept that the airport belongs to Schengen and then continue to argue about it later?

“I believe pragmatism won. So if anyone thinks this is Spain ‘putting a foot in Gibraltar’ – well, on the Spanish side people are saying we’ve ‘dropped our trousers’ and let the British keep colonising us.

These are old-fashioned ways of thinking which don’t solve real problems. I think it will be positive. But let’s be cautious — there are still lots of issues we’ll need to tackle from now on.”

The Olive Press has more Gibraltar News. Click here to read it.

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About David Sackler

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David Sackler, a seasoned news editor with over 20 years of experience, currently based in Spain, is known for his editorial expertise, commitment to journalistic integrity, and advocating for press freedom.

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