With the Treaty implementation date pushed to 15 July 2026 businesses have more time to adapt to the changes that are coming. So too does Government as it works to develop the new processes and procedures that will facilitate the treaty implementation. The Government’s BTAG (Business Transition Advisory Group) committee, of which the GFSB is a member, met on Friday 24 April 2026 to continue preparations ahead of Treaty implementation.

The Government has reiterated that, subject to concluding its current work, including an administrative arrangement that is being discussed between His Majesty’s Customs and Spanish Customs, it expects to be in a position to publish the relevant administrative arrangements by 1 June 2026. At the meeting, the Minister confirmed that these arrangements together with any additional guidance that HMGoG may consider necessary, are intended to operate as a complete guide for businesses to be able import goods and export into and from Gibraltar and will, in effect, become the “business manual”.

It was also confirmed that the Government has identified a specialist to be Gibraltar’s state aid authority who will be responsible for the operation of the state aid regime in Gibraltar. This is a positive development, and the GFSB will be engaging closely to ensure that members are able to benefit from any support measures available within the scope of the state aid framework. The appointee is expected to take up the role in June.

A number of specific business concerns were raised during the meeting. In particular, there was discussion around the requirement for businesses to obtain an EORI number and, potentially, a Spanish NIF. Further clarification on this point is expected shortly.

BTAG will now meet on a more regular basis in the lead-up to the Treaty implementation in July, with the next meeting scheduled for early May.