EU-UK relations: member states greenlight EU-UK deal on Gibraltar

Press release

2 April 2026

The Committee of Permanent Representatives agreed, on 1 April 2026, the texts of the agreement and decisions of signature and provisional application of the Agreement between the EU and the UK in respect of Gibraltar. The texts will be formally adopted as soon as the checks of the Council lawyer-linguists are concluded. The Agreement is expected to enter into provisional application on 15 July 2026.

The EU-UK Agreement in respect of Gibraltar will complete the legal framework of the relations between the EU and the United Kingdom established by the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Gibraltar is not included in the scope of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, signed in 2020 and in force since 2021.

The Cyprus Presidency has worked diligently on this issue. This is a milestone for EU-UK relations and it paves the way for a stronger, mutually beneficial, and forward-looking partnership. This agreement will be beneficial for the people in the region and for the EU as a whole.

Christina Rafti Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the EU

The main objective of the EU-UK agreement in respect of Gibraltar is to secure the future prosperity of the whole region.

Find more information on the official website of the Council of the EU.

EU-UK relations: member states greenlight EU-UK deal on Gibraltar