Entry requirements to Gibraltar have been changed to “align” with Schengen Area entry requirements, following the introduction of an UK-EU deal over the British Overseas Territory in southern Spain.
The change means that UK citizens must have passports issued within the previous 10 years as well as validity for at least three months after the day of intended departure from Gibraltar or the Schengen Area, according to the UK government.
The new arrangements, which came into effect on 15 July, also mean that UK visas and residence permits will no longer be accepted for entry to Gibraltar.
British passport holders and other non-EU travellers who do require an EU visa can enter Gibraltar for up to 90 days without a visa, including for business trips, and are subject to Schengen Area restrictions of only being able to spend 90 days in any 180-day period through the area.
Travellers arriving at Gibraltar’s airport also face two sets of immigration checks from both Gibraltar and Spanish authorities, including registration under the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES).
Once passengers have cleared these checks, they can “move freely” across the land border between Gibraltar and Spain with custom checks at this border also being scrapped.