Spanish press reports that the British Embassy in Madrid has formally complained to the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs about the treatment of British citizens living in Gibraltar without a red ID card.
The "Note Verbal" specifically concerns their entry via the Gibraltar frontier, with special references to off duty military personnel.
Since November 2023, Spain has enforced measures requiring British passport holders in Gibraltar, who do not hold red ID cards, to justify their reasons for entering Spain.
The red ID card allows supposedly smoother border crossings but is only available to registered Gibraltar residents, and excludes groups like military personnel and temporary workers.
These measures restrict non-red ID cardholders from making day trips to Spain, which the British Embassy in Madrid says negatively impacts on La Línea's economy.
The Spanish press also reports the Embassy highlights that these restrictions affect children wanting to play sports, people with medical appointments, and those seeking leisure activities in Spain.
The British Embassy's formal complaint acknowledges Spain's right to control its borders but argues that the current application of Schengen rules is unreasonable and inconsistent.
It says Spanish authorities currently enforce Schengen protocols on non-red ID card holders, requiring valid passports, visit justification, and proof of funds for stays of up to 90 days within 180 days.
The Note Verbal also addresses issues faced by British military personnel stationed in Gibraltar. It says this group encounter difficulties crossing into Spain unless they meet Schengen requirements.
The Embassy says passport markings indicating military status have led to detentions and intense questioning at the border.
It now requests Spain to remove electronic alerts linked to British military personnel to facilitate smoother crossings, highlighting the cooperative NATO relationship between the UK and Spain.
GBC has contacted the British Embassy for comment and is awaiting a response.
