Gibraltar Entry for British Citizens Now Subject to EU Border Rules

Charlie Spain 21 June 2025 | Updated On June 23, 2025 | 0

Post-Brexit border changes between Gibraltar and Spain are about to get real – and it could make travelling and living in the region more complicated for many British citizens.

A recent EU-UK deal hands significant authority to Spain over who can enter Gibraltar, even though the territory remains under British sovereignty. While the agreement is designed to make life easier for those living and working across the Gibraltar-Spain border, it could bring new headaches for British travellers.

Once the agreement is ratified, border controls between Gibraltar and Spain will be lifted, allowing for smoother movement of people and goods. But there’s a catch: Spain will take the lead in enforcing Schengen entry rules at Gibraltar’s port and airport.

That means anyone arriving in Gibraltar will go through two checks: one by Gibraltar officials and one by Spanish border agents. And it will be Spain, not Gibraltar, that gets the final say on whether a traveller meets the criteria to enter.

How Will This Affect British Passport Holders?

For British travellers, these changes mean new entry rules that mirror those used across the EU's Schengen Zone:

British passports must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter Gibraltar.
It must have at least 3 months’ validity left on your planned day of departure from the Schengen Area.
If you don’t meet these rules, you could be denied entry and sent back to the UK.

Time Limits Are Tighter Too

Until now, time spent in Gibraltar didn’t count towards the EU’s “90 days in any 180” rule. This meant British citizens could hop over from Spain to reset their travel clock.

That loophole is closing.

Once the deal takes effect, time spent in Gibraltar will be counted as time spent in the Schengen Zone. So if you’ve already spent 90 days in Spain or another Schengen country, you won’t be able to head to Gibraltar to extend your stay.

Non-UK Residents: What If You Live in Spain or Gibraltar?

The new agreement is also a game-changer for non-UK residents, particularly those living in Spain or Gibraltar. Cross-border workers will benefit from the removal of daily border checks. However, the visa and residence permit process will become more Spain-led.

While Gibraltar will still have a say in who gets to stay, Spain will run the residency checks and control entry for work, study, and even asylum cases. In limited cases, Gibraltar will issue humanitarian visas with short validity.

For British nationals already living in the area, this could mean more red tape and more scrutiny when renewing documents or re-entering the region.

What About EU Citizens?

Holders of EU passports – including Irish nationals – won’t be affected in the same way. They’ll continue to enjoy seamless entry to Gibraltar with fewer restrictions, thanks to ongoing Schengen alignment.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy has described the agreement as a final step in resolving the post-Brexit status of Gibraltar. While the UK insists the deal protects British sovereignty, it undeniably shifts practical control to Spain when it comes to who gets in.

For British travellers and non-UK residents, the reality is clear: Gibraltar may still be British, but your journey there now runs through Spanish rules.

Do you think these new entry rules are fair for British travellers? Talk to us in the comment section below. Or if you need more advice on the above, contact us for further travel & immigration advice.

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About
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Charlie

Travel and Immigration Writer and Client Relationship Manager at IaM (Immigration and Migration)

Charlie is IaM’s resident Travel & Immigration Writer and Client Relationship Manager. They craft clear, engaging guides that demystify complex visa and migration rules - and then personally supports each client through every step of their journey.

Over the past 6+ years, with IaM, and working in the travel and immigration sector, Charlie has authored 200+ in-depth guides on Schengen, UK visas & other destinations they have relocated 1,000+ families safely through the system. A Clockwork Practitioner, Charlie also works hard to streamline operations and adheres to the mantra "Task Clients Well".

When they’re not translating policy into plain English, you’ll find them scouting new destinations, collecting local stories, and mastering a new language to better serve our global community.