Spain rejects Vox claims Gibraltar bridging measures breach Schengen Code

The Spanish government has once again dismissed claims that the bridging measures at the Gibraltar frontier breach the Schengen Borders Code.

This response came in reply to questions raised in the Spanish Congress.

The Spanish Government has rejected claims that Gibraltar frontier controls have been relaxed, insisting that the Schengen Borders Code is being applied in full. In a written response to a parliamentary question from Vox MPs, the government also denied any written order instructing Spanish police not to stamp Gibraltar residents’ passports.

Vox’s questions followed reports suggesting more flexible checks for Gibraltarians, citing media coverage and allegations made by former senior police officer David Barrero, who had been in charge at the Gibraltar frontier.

David Barrero, who has been suspended, filed legal complaints alleging he received verbal instructions to allow crossings without passport stamps, in breach of Schengen rules.

Officials, including Spain’s Delegate in Andalucía and the Head of the National Police’s Central Borders Unit, continue to assert that the Schengen Borders Code is being upheld. While they acknowledge that controls may be temporarily eased for safety reasons, they stress such instances remain exceptional and lawful.