Travel Summary
- There are confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus – Swine Flu in Gibraltar (source: Gibraltar Health Authority). You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at: www.who.int/ has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk. The Government of Gibraltar has indicated that when an individual with the H1N1 virus - Swine Flu is detected the medical protocol is that the patient will remain isolated for seven days and treated. There is currently no entry-exit screening at the airport or frontier.
- Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory. There is no formal British consular representation in Gibraltar and the local authorities deal with all requests for consular assistance. See the General section of this travel advice for more details.
- There is an underlying threat from terrorism in Gibraltar. Attacks could be indiscriminate including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
- If you are travelling to Spain as well as Gibraltar, you should check the Travel advice for Spain.
- Most visits to Gibraltar are trouble-free. Violence or street crime is rare.
- We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is an underlying threat from terrorism in Gibraltar. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
There is an underlying threat from terrorism in Gibraltar. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
Violence or street crime is rare. However there have been reports of people walking from La Linea (Spain) to Gibraltar at night being attacked and robbed.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad. Please note as Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory there is no formal British Consular Representation. We are therefore unable to offer full assistance as described in this link.
Political Situation
Political Situation
Local Travel
Road Travel
Border Queues
Vehicles may experience delays when entering Gibraltar from Spain and vice versa. These delays increase during the high season and traffic flow in and out can be very slow particularly during peak hours: mornings coming into Gibraltar and early evening leaving Gibraltar. It is advisable to take water with you during the hot summer months.
However this rarely affects those entering/leaving Gibraltar on foot.
Those travelling by car can find out the latest information on the queue by calling (tel: +(350) 200 42777).
Vehicles may experience delays when entering Gibraltar from Spain and vice versa. These delays increase during the high season and traffic flow in and out can be very slow particularly during peak hours: mornings coming into Gibraltar and early evening leaving Gibraltar. It is advisable to take water with you during the hot summer months.
However this rarely affects those entering/leaving Gibraltar on foot.
Those travelling by car can find out the latest information on the queue by calling (tel: +(350) 200 42777).
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
Local laws and customs
You should be aware that there is a low tolerance of any alcohol or drugs-related crime e.g. being drunk in a public place. Driving with a blood/ alcohol level greater than 0.5 ml is illegal.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
A full valid British passport is required for all British nationals visiting Gibraltar. As Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, no prior entry visa is required for British nationals.
For further information on entry requirements, you are advised to check with either:
The Gibraltar Government Office, 150 Strand, London W2CR 1JA; Tel: 020 7836 0777; email info@gibraltar.gov.uk; Website: http://www.gibraltar.gov.uk
The Principal Immigration Officer, Police Headquarters, Gibraltar; e-mail: rgpimm@gibtelecom.net or pacompol@gibtelecom.net ; tel: +(350) 200 725;00 fax: + (350) 200 45489 or +(350) 200 74198. (Note – during summer months, this office is open until 13:00 GMT).
For further information on entry requirements, you are advised to check with either:
The Gibraltar Government Office, 150 Strand, London W2CR 1JA; Tel: 020 7836 0777; email info@gibraltar.gov.uk; Website: http://www.gibraltar.gov.uk
The Principal Immigration Officer, Police Headquarters, Gibraltar; e-mail: rgpimm@gibtelecom.net or pacompol@gibtelecom.net ; tel: +(350) 200 725;00 fax: + (350) 200 45489 or +(350) 200 74198. (Note – during summer months, this office is open until 13:00 GMT).
Health
There are confirmed human cases of the H1N1 virus - Swine Flu in Gibraltar (source: Gibraltar Health Authority). You should monitor local media reports for any developments and advice. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at: www.who.int/ has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information. Guidance on Pandemic Flu can be obtained on the UK Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk. The Government of Gibraltar has indicated that when an individual with the H1N1 virus - Swine Flu is detected the medical protocol is that the patient will remain isolated for seven days and treated. There is currently no entry-exit screening at the airport or frontier.
Most medical problems can be dealt with locally. The main hospital is St Bernard’s at Europort (tel: +350 200 79700).
If you are a British national resident in the UK you can obtain emergency treatment in Gibraltar by presenting your UK passport as proof of residence. However, as some emergency treatment may require transfer to Spain or the UK, you should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which has replaced Form E111, before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Spanish nationals. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Gibraltar and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Most medical problems can be dealt with locally. The main hospital is St Bernard’s at Europort (tel: +350 200 79700).
If you are a British national resident in the UK you can obtain emergency treatment in Gibraltar by presenting your UK passport as proof of residence. However, as some emergency treatment may require transfer to Spain or the UK, you should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which has replaced Form E111, before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Spanish nationals. It also does not cover you for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. For more general information see EHIC.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Gibraltar and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
General
Insurance
We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.
For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help. Please note as Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory there is no formal British Consular Representation. We are therefore unable to offer full assistance as described in this link.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Import and Export of Goods
Gibraltar is not part of the EU Common Customs Territory.
The amount of goods (e.g. tobacco and alcohol) that you can take into and out of Gibraltar is therefore more limited than for visits between the UK and other EU countries, for example when bought tax-paid.
Importing to Gibraltar
Information on Duty Free Allowances when arriving in Gibraltar can be found at: Gibraltar Customs (importing to Gibraltar).
If you regularly enter or return to Gibraltar (ie more than once in a calendar month), you are not entitled to Duty Free Imports.
Exporting to Spain
You should declare any duty free goods to Spanish customs officers on leaving Gibraltar.
Exporting to the UK
If you are returning directly to the UK from Gibraltar, information on the Duty Free allowances is available at: http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/gov_depts/customs/customs_index.htm.
Consular Assistance
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory and as such there is no formal British Consular Representation. All consular protection services needed by British nationals are delivered by the Government of Gibraltar Civil Status and Registration Office as follows.
If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help. Please note as Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory there is no formal British Consular Representation. We are therefore unable to offer full assistance as described in this link.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Import and Export of Goods
Gibraltar is not part of the EU Common Customs Territory.
The amount of goods (e.g. tobacco and alcohol) that you can take into and out of Gibraltar is therefore more limited than for visits between the UK and other EU countries, for example when bought tax-paid.
Importing to Gibraltar
Information on Duty Free Allowances when arriving in Gibraltar can be found at: Gibraltar Customs (importing to Gibraltar).
If you regularly enter or return to Gibraltar (ie more than once in a calendar month), you are not entitled to Duty Free Imports.
Exporting to Spain
You should declare any duty free goods to Spanish customs officers on leaving Gibraltar.
Exporting to the UK
If you are returning directly to the UK from Gibraltar, information on the Duty Free allowances is available at: http://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/gov_depts/customs/customs_index.htm.
Consular Assistance
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory and as such there is no formal British Consular Representation. All consular protection services needed by British nationals are delivered by the Government of Gibraltar Civil Status and Registration Office as follows.
(Birth and Death registration enquiries:
Tel: + (350) 200 78303
Fax: + (350) 200 42706
Marriage bookings and information on marriage requirements in Gibraltar:
Tel: + (350) 200 72289
Fax: + (350) 200 42706
Email: marriages@gibtelecom.net
Visa information:
Tel: + (350) 200 51726
Fax: + (350) 200 42706
Email: csro@gibtelecom.net
Passport Information:
Tel: + (350) 200 51725, 51727 or 51728
Fax: + (350) 200 42706
Email: csro@gibtelecom.net
Immigration information:
Tel: + (350) 200 51725 or 59832
Fax: + (350) 200 43053
Email: immigration@gibtelecom.net
Money
Sterling is the currency in Gibraltar, and British notes and coins circulate alongside Gibraltar pounds and pence. (NB Gibraltar notes and coins are not accepted in UK and Scottish & Northern Irish notes are not accepted by most businesses in Gibraltar.) Euros are accepted but with an exchange rate (not necessarily favourable) and change normally given in Sterling.
UK debit cards and all major credit cards are readily accepted in Gibraltar.
UK debit cards and all major credit cards are readily accepted in Gibraltar.
