Spanish boarder issues with Gibraltar
 

Hi.

We often fly into Gibraltar airport, the last time was late autumn/winter last year.

i have no problem providing any paper work required. But a few years ago spent 8 hours on a beach with queues around the island.

Last year there were delays by the Spanish boarder officials checking, everyone walking across the boarder, where you were staying, how long and proof of bookings etc. They were even calling friends and family in Spain.
I was able to provide everything they needed but was extremely time consuming.

Just wondering if this has all settled down now or if there are still any unusual delays.

Re: Spanish boarder issues with Gibraltar
 

As a third world national you will still need to provide the border police with your itinerary in Spain and evidence that you have the funds to support yourself.

Re: Spanish boarder issues with Gibraltar
 

We went to Gibraltar last Tuesday and it was a doddle but it is only February. Absolutely no queues, sailed through the border in both directions (by car) and even had time for a very brief chat with one of the Spanish border guards. I'm blessed with an Irish passport but my partner is still British with a Portuguese residency card and that was questioned. The guards now check every single page of every single third country passport for stamps and my partner has various Spanish and Portuguese stamps (which they should never have had) which causes confusion. My partner had a Spanish exit stamp so the guard explained it would be better for them to have a Spanish entry stamp otherwise they could be caught out for under staying in the EU.

My point is this, Spanish border force have tightened up and are not letting people through unless they are EU nationals/residents or third country nationals with proof of accommodation and proof of adequate funds. This is very time consuming and queues will build up in the spring. Fredbargate is the expert on all things Gibraltar but no, the border issue has not been agreed and if anything, it has become more difficult for third country nationals BUT either Gibraltar will join Schengen or EES booths will be installed at the border later this year and you will be hived off separately that queue.

The wonders of Brexit freedoms eh?
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Re: Spanish boarder issues with Gibraltar
 

​​​​​​Fr eudian slip?!!!

Re: Spanish boarder issues with Gibraltar
 

thank you for your information. appreciated

Having lived and worked in Spain I just needed an up date.

Re: Spanish boarder issues with Gibraltar
 

At present I am closer to the Derwent Valley mills than the Gibraltar frontier. But talking to friends in Gib the frontier is still causing problems so fewer people are trying to cross coupled with fewer tourists at this time of year hence shorter queues.
Reference to joining Schengen it would appear Spain is insisting for the Gibraltarians to do this they would have to surender their British nationality.
A definite no no.

Re: Spanish boarder issues with Gibraltar
 

Does this mean they would simply be Gibraltarians? I can't see a problem with that but overall, I think the Schengen idea has run out of steam and not going anywhere.

As a very frequent visitor to Gib, I think it would be better to just leave things as they are and install separate EES and ETIAS booths at the border. Most people are exempt anyway and if it means that third country nationals can't cross into Spain from Gibraltar without proof of accommodation and adequate funds then so be it.

As long as Gibraltarians, Spanish nationals, cross border workers and EU nationals/residents are free to cross the border, it's a case of job done.

Re: Spanish boarder issues with Gibraltar
 

We are basically happy with our lot. But also unlike the Spanish do not believe that others should have their freedom of movement restricted

How many other countries also have religious freedom.
Christians, Jews, Moslems, Non believers etc live in harmony alongside each other.
Paradise.

Re: Spanish boarder issues with Gibraltar
 

A Damascene conversion! :lol:

Re: Spanish boarder issues with Gibraltar
 

Well no, because Gibraltar voted 96% in favour of remaining.

Re: Spanish boarder issues with Gibraltar
 

Well yes because we have accepted the result and moved on.
Unlike yourself who cannot stop harping on .

Re: Spanish boarder issues with Gibraltar
 

It seems that the stamps issue is something that is completely arbitrary as if there are no instructions from above as to how border guards are to proceed. And it's not just niche border crossings, I recently flew into Barcelona and received a passport stamp... even though I showed a SPANISH residency card. Go figure...

At first I thought that the next time I leave the Schengen area I will only show my passport so that I am guaranteed an exit stamp without having to ask for one, but you have got me thinking that maybe I should just show my residency pass and not care about the lack of the exit stamp... :)

Re: Spanish boarder issues with Gibraltar
 

In all fairness aren't you the one complaining about (and most-affected by) the fact that the UK passport has suffered the biggest plunge in status ever?

I mean right now if you're entering Spain it really doesn't matter whether you're from Gibraltar or Tangiers... it's all the same.

Re: Spanish boarder issues with Gibraltar
 

I assume you’re referring to that rather ridiculous so called survey which has UAE wit the allegedly highest status and the U.K. ahead of such giants as Canada, Australia, USA and Japan. Oh and Ireland ranks about 6th. Did you know the word gullible can’t be found in a dictionary?

Re: Spanish boarder issues with Gibraltar
 

Personally I am not affected by the schinanigans at the border other than the delays deliberately caused by Spain.
Last year I asked for my passport to be stamped as I was leaving Spain by a different route.
However unlike many on this forum I do have sympathy for those who do have problems.