Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, so there is no British Embassy and you should ask the relevant Gibraltar authorities if you need help.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
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This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Gibraltar set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Gibraltar Borders and Coastguard Agency.
Passport validity requirements
To enter Gibraltar, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
Visa requirements
British nationals do not need a visa to enter Gibraltar for visits, study or work.
Gibraltar is not part of the Schengen area. For information on visas and entry, see the Gibraltar Borders and Coastguard Agency.
Travel between Gibraltar and Spain
The Gibraltar-Spain border is a busy external Schengen border and Gibraltar is outside the Customs Union.
Spanish border checks can cause delays when crossing between Spain and Gibraltar. The Borders and Coastguard Agency has a live camera feed of the queue at the Gibraltar Frontier. It also has up-to-date information on flights arriving and departing at Gibraltar International Airport.
If you are crossing the land border from Gibraltar into Spain, read Spain travel advice for the latest entry requirements, particularly the evidence you may need to show at border control. Some travellers have not been able to provide the full documentation asked of them and have had their travel plans disrupted.
For all visitors to Spain there are rules on passport validity and special restrictions on what you can and cannot take into Spain, notably meat and milk products.
There is no charge to enter or leave Gibraltar. Do not hand over money to anybody claiming there is a charge.
Travelling with children
If you’re travelling with children aged 17 or under who are not your own, you may have to show signed letters of parental consent when crossing from Gibraltar into Spain. This also applies to children travelling alone, or children travelling with adults other than their legal guardian (for example, teachers and students on school trips).
Vaccine requirements
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Gibraltar guide.
Customs rules
There are strict rules about goods that can be brought into and taken out of Gibraltar. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
If you return to Gibraltar within one calendar month, you may only use your duty-free allowance on your first visit that month.
See more information on personal allowances for visitors to Gibraltar on HM Government of Gibraltar’s website.
Gibraltar is not part of the EU Customs Union. If you travel from Gibraltar to Spain, declare any duty-free goods to Spanish customs officers.
If you are returning directly to the UK from Gibraltar, see information on bringing goods into the UK.
Terrorism
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Terrorism in Gibraltar
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Gibraltar, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Crime
Violence and street crime are rare, but you should take sensible precautions to protect your belongings.
Laws and cultural differences
Alcohol and drug laws
The laws of Gibraltar are similar to UK laws for alcohol, drugs and anti-social behaviour.
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is legal. There is an active LGBT+ community, but due to the small size of Gibraltar, there are few places which are exclusively LGBT+ orientated.
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
Money
Pounds sterling is the currency in Gibraltar. Bank of England-issued notes and UK coins are accepted and are mixed with locally-issued notes and coins of the same value in pounds and pence.
Some businesses accept euros, but check the exchange rate offered. Notes issued in Scotland or Northern Ireland are not usually accepted in Gibraltar.
Gibraltar-issued notes and coins are not usually accepted in the UK.
Transport risks
Road travel
You can drive in Gibraltar with a UK driving licence.
If you are planning to drive, see information on driving abroad and check the regulations and laws that apply to Gibraltar’s roads and road users.
If you’re planning to drive in Spain or Portugal, check the requirements in those countries.
Before you travel check that:
- your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
- you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Emergency medical number
Call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Vaccine recommendations and health risks
At least 8 weeks before your trip check:
See what health risks you’ll face in Gibraltar.
Medication
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
For information on the legal status of a specific medicine, contact HM Customs Gibraltar.
Healthcare in Gibraltar
Most medical problems can be dealt with locally. The only hospital is St Bernard’s at Europort.
British nationals who live in the UK can get emergency treatment in Gibraltar by presenting a British passport. However, for some emergency treatment you may be transferred to Spain.
For this reason, you need to bring a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
The NHS’s getting healthcare abroad webpage has details about:
- how to apply for a GHIC
- how to get temporary cover if you lose your card or it does not arrive in time
- who qualifies for a new EHIC instead of a GHIC
- what treatment counts as medically necessary
A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. You may have costs your GHIC or EHIC does not cover, including:
- changes to travel and accommodation bookings
- additional standard costs for treatment
- medical repatriation to the UK
- treatment that is ruled non-urgent
- private healthcare
- private clinics
Travel and mental health
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, so there is no British Embassy and you should ask the relevant Gibraltar authorities if you need help.
Emergency services in Gibraltar
Telephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)
Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
Refunds and changes to travel
For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
- where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
- how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim
Support from the Gibraltar government
If you are in Gibraltar and you need emergency help, contact the relevant Gibraltar government department.
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