Stricter requirements for employees and the self-employed, new age limit, a higher earnings threshold and more – Gibraltar’s government has rolled out numerous changes that make it harder to move to the British overseas territory.
Gibraltar has approved a new set residency regulations that came into force on July 14th 2026, one day before the highly anticipated post-Brexit treaty signed by The Rock, Spain, the UK and the European Union.
The standout point of this treaty is that it integrates Gibraltar into the Schengen external border system, allowing residents seamless, frictionless travel into Spain and the wider EU, something that makes Gibraltar highly appealing to some UK nationals who lost EU mobility after Brexit.
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As a result, the Gibraltarian Government has announced a new Residence Criteria framework designed to ensure that residency in Gibraltar is based on genuine economic contribution, regulatory compliance and to protect the ability to continue to provide public services in Gibraltar to Gibraltarians.
According to the Sovereign Group specialising in tax and trust services, Gibraltar typically received an average of around 1,000 residency applications per year, but this rose to more than 3,000 between 2022 and 2024.
Then, when agreement between the UK and the EU was announced in June 2025, applications almost tripled.
“These Regulations bring into force the policy criteria already published by the Government and provide the legal framework necessary for Gibraltar’s new residency regime,” Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo KC MP, said.
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“Gibraltar must remain open for business, open to talent and open to opportunity, but we must also ensure that residency is properly regulated in the interests of our community. We will not apologise for putting Gibraltar first. That is what this Government has always done and that is what these regulations do”.
The new regulations detail the different types of ways people can apply for a residence permit in Gibraltar, as well as the specific requirements they must meet in each case.
This includes employed contract workers, the self-employed, students, Crown officials, members of the British Armed Forces, current residents and permanent residents, as well as existing residents.
These new policies do not apply to current holders of Gibraltar Identity Cards or current Gibraltar residents who obtained residence before October 6th 2025.
Here is a breakdown of the main changes when applying for residency in Gibraltar:
Stricter requirements for employees
Under the new regulations, applicants who are applying as employees will need a job contract paying the equivalent of the average gross annual salary in Gibraltar or above, which is currently around £37,500.
Applicants under the age of 30 are able to earn below the salary threshold provided their employer agrees to pays tax and social insurance contributions at the equivalent of the average Gibraltar salary.
The employment contract must be with a business that has been trading in or from Gibraltar for at least a year.
Applicants must also prove they have suitable accommodation in Gibraltar such as a rental contract for at least 12 months.
The rules also do mention the possibility of relaxing certain requirements when it benefits Gibraltar, especially in sectors with a shortage of labour and where there’s an economic benefit. This means the government could authorise residence permits for those with particular skills or qualifications.
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Stricter age requirements
Applicants must be aged 55 years or younger.
A person over the age of 55 may be able to get a residence permit under specific circumstances, but they would have no entitlement to Elderly Residential Services.
Self-employed and start-ups rules
For a business that has traded for less than 12 months or in the case of self-employed individuals applying for the first time, an advanced payment in the form of a deposit will be required. This will be equivalent to the total employee and employer social insurance contribution for the first year of employment, and the total tax payable on the equivalent of the minimum salary threshold, taxable at 25 percent.
This deposit will be returned if a business closes. The Minister for Business also has discretion to waive the full amount in certain circumstances.
Students
Any student of the Gibraltar University will be entitled to certain benefits for the period during which they are a student, as long as they contribute to the Medical Group Practice Scheme. This equates to a contribution of £470 per year.
Residency renewals
Residency permits will be valid for a period of one year. In order to renew applicants must continue to meet requirements under which residency was granted.
A person who is found to be living Gibraltar without a valid residency permit will be liable to an administrative penalty of £2500 and shall be treated as an unauthorised person.
Increase in fees
The application fee for residence will be raised to £250. Renewal fees will be set at £100.
Fewer benefits for residents
New residents will be able to access certain benefits like healthcare and education for children, but they will not be entitled to public housing elderly residential care, domiciliary care or other social benefits.
Healthcare benefits will be available holder, spouse and any children under 18 or in tertiary education, but do not extend to an applicant’s parents.
Qualifying period doubles
The qualifying period in order to get Gibraltarian status will be doubled from 10 to 20 years for new residents. The government says that this means people will have to contribute over a long period of time before gaining access to full benefits.
“Our obligation is to ensure that we deal with cases in a way that does not permit immigration to become a problem,” the Picardo concluded.
