Thousands of people who travel every day between the southern tip of Spain and the British territory of Gibraltar will no longer need to cross a physical border starting Wednesday.
The official opening took place at midnight on Tuesday, following the signing of a post-Brexit deal that ends border controls for residents, tourists and the thousands of Spanish workers who cross into British territory every day.
The agreement, which was signed in Brussels on Tuesday and entered into force at midnight, marks the end of more than four years of negotiations between the United Kingdom, Spain, Gibraltar and the EU following Britain's departure from the bloc.
The agreement eliminates border controls and customs checks to create a fluid border, and gives Spain responsibility for Schengen checks at Gibraltar's airport and port.
It has also led to the removal of the border fence that has physically separated Spain from Gibraltar since 1908.
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The disputed British Overseas Territory has a population of 38,000 and is located on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. Gibraltar was taken by Britain in 1713, but Spain has maintained its claim to sovereignty ever since.
Relations between the two countries regarding Gibraltar have had their ups and downs over the centuries.
