Entry Requirements and Visas
On 15 July 2026, a new agreement with the EU is provisionally implemented, removing border controls between Gibraltar and the Schengen Area, and creating a customs union between Gibraltar and the EU. For practical travel purposes, Gibraltar is treated as part of the Schengen system.
Citizens of EEA countries and Switzerland do not need visas to visit Gibraltar and may stay up to 90 days with only a valid ID card or passport. If you are from outside these areas and only plan to visit Gibraltar, you will need to obtain a Schengen visa from a Spanish diplomatic mission.
Note that old British-issued visas for Gibraltar are no longer valid following the EU agreement implementation.
If arriving from outside the Schengen Area by plane, you will need to pass through both Gibraltar and Spanish immigration on arrival.
Getting There
By Air: Gibraltar International Airport has daily scheduled flights to and from London Heathrow and London Gatwick, with additional services from Bristol and Manchester. Málaga Airport in Spain, 120 km away, is a popular alternative with a wider range of destinations, though buses from Málaga to Gibraltar run only a few times daily and take approximately three hours.
By Car: The land border with Spain is open 24 hours. A tunnel that opened in March 2023 now bypasses the airport runway crossing. Be aware that queues at the border can be lengthy, and many visitors prefer to park in the nearby Spanish town of La Línea de la Concepción and walk across. Free parking is available throughout La Línea. Note that traffic in Gibraltar drives on the right side of the road, with speed signs in km/h and distance signs in metric.
By Bus: Buses connect La Línea (five minutes' walk from the border) to major Spanish cities including Seville, Málaga, Cádiz, and Granada. Direct buses also run hourly to Algeciras.
By Boat: An irregular passenger ferry service operates from Tangier Med port in Morocco, with no more than two departures per month. Alternatively, cruise ships call at Gibraltar regularly, offering one of the easiest ways to visit given occasional delays at the land border.
Money and Costs
The currency in Gibraltar is the Gibraltar Pound (GIP). The territory maintains close economic ties with Spain, and you will find that costs and pricing are broadly comparable to other Mediterranean destinations.
Staying Safe
Gibraltar has a low crime rate and an efficient police force. The Royal Gibraltar Police handles everyday policing, while the Gibraltar Defence Police (part of the British military) protects military installations.
Emergency Contacts:
- Police assistance: 199
- Fire and ambulance: 190
- All emergencies from mobile phones: 112
There have been reports of attacks on the Spanish side of the border when people return to Gibraltar on foot late at night. It is advisable to take a taxi after dark if you have been drinking in bars in Spain, particularly if travelling alone.
Barbary Macaques: Gibraltar is home to wild Barbary macaques, which can bite. While rabies-free, they can infect you with hepatitis. Do not feed them or attempt to pick up babies, as mothers will defend their young aggressively. Feeding macaques is illegal and can incur substantial fines. These animals are particularly aggressive at the top of the Rock, where dominant members of the population congregate.
Health
Gibraltar is part of the European Health Insurance Scheme and operates a health service similar to the United Kingdom, with a modern hospital. If you hold a valid EHIC card from a participating country, you are entitled to full free emergency medical treatment.
Staying Connected
Phone: Gibraltar's international dialing code is +350. All landline numbers have 8 digits. To make international calls from Gibraltar, dial 00 followed by the country code.
Internet: Free wireless internet is available at several bars and cafés throughout Gibraltar, including Fresh, the Gibraltar Arms, the Lord Nelson, the Cannon Bar, the Clipper, Corks Wine Bar, and the Horseshoe.
Local Customs and Etiquette
Gibraltar maintains close economic and cultural links with Spain. Many Gibraltarians speak Spanish as well as the local dialect known as Llanito. The territory blends British and Mediterranean influences in its culture and daily life, reflecting its unique history and position at the intersection of British and Spanish spheres.