You can move freely—but now need a qualifying job
UK nationals can move to Gibraltar with no visa, no work permit and no immigration cap. As a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar grants British nationals the unqualified right to live and work there. But since 6 October 2025, the Government of Gibraltar has introduced a new residency framework under the Treaty on Gibraltar and the European Union Act 2026. The Regulations establish the requirements and procedures for obtaining a residence permit to live in Gibraltar. The rules got tighter in June 2026. Here's what you need to know.
How residency works now
UK nationals can enter Gibraltar without a visa, but long-term residence now depends on qualifying under Gibraltar's current residency framework rather than simply relocating. A Gibraltar Residence Permit or other qualifying residency status is required for long-term residence under the applicable framework.
There are six permit routes: Employment, Self-employment, Student, Public service, Transitional, and Permanent residence. Most people use Employment. This guide covers the Employment route; for high-net-worth individuals and specialist executives, read Category 2 residency in Gibraltar.
The employment route: what you must have
If you're moving to work, you need three things:
A job paying at least £37,500. Applicants must hold an employment contract of at least one year's duration and receive gross annual earnings that are equal to or exceed Gibraltar's published average gross annual earnings, currently £37,500 per annum. If you're under 30 and below the salary floor, the £37,500 can be waived if your employer pays tax and social insurance as if you earned it.
You must be 55 or under. Applicants must be aged 55 or below. The Chief Minister retains discretion to approve older applicants where it's judged to be in Gibraltar's interests, but it's no longer a given.
A qualified employer. The employer must also meet certain requirements. Businesses must be actively trading in Gibraltar, hold the necessary licences under the Fair Trading Act 2023 (or other applicable regulatory approvals where carrying on regulated activities), and be compliant with their filing and payment obligations.
Suitable accommodation. Applicants must also demonstrate that they have secured suitable accommodation in Gibraltar. This may be by way of ownership or a rental agreement. However, the Regulations make it clear that the accommodation must represent a genuine primary residence. Holiday lets, rental agreements of less than 12 months and properties that are not intended to be occupied as the applicant's principal home will generally not qualify.
Step-by-step: how to apply
- Get a job offer. Find a Gibraltar employer and secure a contract of at least 12 months paying at least £37,500 gross per year. The employer must be registered, active and compliant with Gibraltar law. You don't need a work permit as a British national—this happens automatically.
- Secure accommodation. Securing accommodation is the hardest step and the one that takes the longest. You cannot register as a resident without a Gibraltar address. The rental market is tight, supply is low relative to demand, and rents are higher than most UK regional cities. Allow 4 to 8 weeks to find somewhere. Rent for one-bedroom apartments runs £1,200 to £1,800 per month.
- Register for tax and social insurance. Your employer files a Notice of Terms of Engagement with the Department of Employment. You'll register for income tax and social insurance with the Income Tax Office.
- Apply for your residence permit. Submit your residency application with proof of employment, accommodation and your passport. The permit renews yearly (£20 renewal fee) and lapses 16 weeks after a Notice of Termination is filed unless a new contract is shown. Apply via residency.gov.gi.
- Register with the Civil Status and Registration Office (CSRO). Once you have a Gibraltar address, registration at the Civil Status and Registration Office (CSRO) typically completes within one to two weeks. You'll receive a Civilian Registration Card.
- Register with the healthcare system. Register for your GHA Medical Healthcare card. To register you need: Valid photo ID (passport or ID card), Recent passport-style photo, Proof of up-to-date Gibraltar social security contributions OR proof of entitlement, and Proof of address in Gibraltar (lease, utility bill or property deed).
Before you leave the UK
Timing your exit from the UK at the end of the UK tax year (April 5th) helps avoid overlapping tax obligations. Complete the UK Statutory Residency Test (SRT) to confirm whether you remain a UK tax resident after your move. File Form P85 with HMRC to inform the UK tax authorities of your departure.
What you'll pay when you buy or rent
If you buy a home, use our stamp duty calculator to work out the cost.
If you rent, expect competition. At any given time, only 70 to 120 rental properties are available across the entire territory. This is a slight improvement from the all-time low of around 10 available units seen in 2023, but still extremely tight by any standard.
Healthcare
Gibraltar's healthcare system is structured along lines broadly similar to the UK's National Health Service (NHS) and is administered by the Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA). For ordinary residents the system is free at point of use — funded through social security contributions. The GHA currently charges £5 for each prescription item, subject to a £15 maximum per prescription.
Private health insurance typically starts at around £70 to £120 per month for a single adult, and is useful for faster specialist appointments and dental care.
Taxes
Gibraltar has no VAT, no capital gains tax, and lower income tax than the UK, which meaningfully improves net take-home pay for most residents. Read Income tax in Gibraltar explained for the full picture of how this works.
Other routes: Category 2 and HEPSS
If you're not moving for work, there are other ways.
- Category 2 residency is for high-net-worth individuals: the application fee is £5,000 and the minimum net wealth requirement for new applicants is £5 million. Read Category 2 residency in Gibraltar for the full details.
- HEPSS is for specialist executives earning £160,000 or more. It's not covered here, but professional advisers can help.
What comes next
Once you've moved, you'll need to register at schools if you have children, set up a local bank account, and sort out pensions and investment planning. Read Schools and education in Gibraltar for the school system.
There is an important distinction between the right to work and the right to reside. Living in Gibraltar rather than commuting from Spain requires a residence permit. This guide is about living here. If you want to live in Spain and work in Gibraltar, you'll need Spanish residency instead.
Sources
- https://www.gibraltarlaw.com/about-us/moving-to-gibraltar/
- https://www.triay.com/news-publications/gibraltar-residency-regulations-2026/
- https://www.sovereigngroup.com/news/gibraltar-announces-new-residence-criteria-prior-to-imminent-provisional-application-of-uk-eu-treaty/
- https://gibraltarlawyers.com/news/residency-regulations-2026-gibraltars-new-residence-permit-framework/
- https://careersgibraltar.com/work-in-gibraltar/british
- https://www.expatfocus.com/gibraltar/guide/gibraltar-health-insurance
- https://gibraltarrelocation.com/blog/healthcare-gibraltar-2026
- https://rentgibraltar.com/blog/gibraltar-rental-prices-2026/
- https://gibraltarrelocation.com/blog/cost-of-living-gibraltar-2026-guide
- https://gov.gi (Gibraltar Government)
Checked October 2026. Rules change, so confirm with a professional before you act.
