LONDON — While soccer enthusiasts in Atlanta might be caught up in discussions about the Falklands, it’s Gibraltar, another British Overseas Territory, that is grabbing headlines today. In a monumental change spurred by Brexit, the century-old border between Gibraltar and Spain will effectively vanish starting Wednesday.

For Gibraltar, a tiny British territory on the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, this day marks the end of a long period of uncertainty. The locals, who overwhelmingly voted to remain in the EU in 2016, found themselves reluctantly exiting alongside the UK. This move immediately complicated daily life for the thousands who traverse the border, including 15,000 Spaniards working in Gibraltar. More stringent passport checks and the complexities of transporting goods across the border became the new norm.

However, after a decade of negotiations involving Brussels, London, Gibraltar, and Madrid, an agreement has been reached to eliminate these physical border controls. Ironically, this breakthrough is a direct result of Brexit—a decision that initially tightened these very borders.

Under the new arrangement, which mirrors the system used by Eurostar trains at London St Pancras station, travelers at Gibraltar’s airport will undergo both Gibraltarian and EU passport controls. Once cleared, they will have the freedom to move across Gibraltar and into the Schengen area, contingent upon the approval of both jurisdictions.

This agreement will see the end of border controls at the Gibraltar-Spain land crossing and align Gibraltar with certain EU single market and customs regulations to facilitate smoother trade. Although Gibraltar is firm in its stance that it is not joining the EU's Schengen area, for many, the experience will resemble just that, with no passport checks required to walk into Spain. Gibraltar will, however, retain control over its own visa policies.

The formal signing of the agreement takes place in Brussels, with Stephen Doughty, the U.K’s Europe Minister, and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič officiating. The deal is a product of bipartisan efforts in Britain, championed initially by former Foreign Secretary David Cameron and later delayed due to political shifts prompted by Rishi Sunak’s call for an election.

Despite some criticism from Tory Euroskeptics who argue that the agreement undermines Gibraltar’s sovereignty, the local government is enthusiastic. Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo expressed strong views in a recent interview with the Telegraph, stating, "Brexit was sold to the British people on a false prospectus. The United Kingdom needs to seriously reconsider its relationship with the European Union, whether that is to return to membership or a much closer relationship.”

As this new chapter begins, the people of Gibraltar look forward to less restricted movement and the revival of smoother economic exchanges with their neighbors, marking a significant shift in the territory’s relationship with both Spain and the broader European community.