On the 25 September, the European Commission will send a technical fact-finding mission to La Línea (Spain) and Gibraltar (UK).
Gibraltar has a unique status within the EU. Gibraltar has been in the EU since 1973 as part of the UK's membership (by virtue of Art 355 of TFEU). EU law is applicable in Gibraltar. However, its membership is distinct to that of the UK as Gibraltar is excluded from 4 areas of EU policy: Customs Union, Common Commercial Policy, Common Agriculture Policy, Common Fisheries Policy and requirement to levy VAT. Gibraltar is not part of the Schengen area either. Spain is therefore requested to carry out checks on persons and on goods. These checks must, however, fully respect EU law and remain proportionate.
2