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Dozens of Brits refused entry into Spain from Gibraltar
The tough Spanish border checks have been heavily criticised
Around 35 non-EU nationals, mostly British citizens, were stopped at the Gibraltar border on Tuesday November 14 and refused entry into Spain. According to government sources, the majority of those turned away didn’t have the right ID card for travel.
In Gibraltar, there are three types of identity cards issued: red cards are issued to Gibraltarians and permanent residents; blue cards to other EU nationals and yellow cards to non-EU citizens. Only the red cards are valid as a travel document.
After Brexit, the UK ceased to recognise EU ID cards and the Spanish responded in kind by upping border checks. However, as with the rest of Spain, UK holidaymakers should still be allowed across to the mainland once they have proof of funds, where they are staying and a return date.
On the other hand, people who hold a red ID card don’t have to answer these questions and won’t have their passports stamped when crossing over the border.
“Most were asked for the reason of their visit to Spain and for flights or hotel bookings,” a Gibraltar government spokesperson explained.
“The BCA are not aware of any British national who presented their passport and a Gibraltar red ID card, to have been asked to provide reasons for travel.
“The Government understands that the existing status quo has not changed and that Gibraltar red ID card holders will not be required to stamp their passports when crossing the border to travel within Spain.”
Despite these assurances, Gibraltar Social Democrats leader Keith Azopardi has criticised the ill treatment of so many travellers and has called on Spain to ease restrictions.
“This latest development is a worsening of restrictions faced by blue ID card holders,” he said.
“The Government statement is wholly insufficient as it does not address the core issue of the turning back at the frontier of all these blue ID card holders.
“We have raised this issue repeatedly.
“What is the Government doing about these things which spark huge frustration at the unreasonable measures taken by Spain at the border?”
Image: User3204 via Wikimedia Commons
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