Note from Property Zone: If you have any queries or concerns about how this affects your right to work or reside in Gibraltar, please don’t hesitate to contact us via the usual channels, and we will be happy to help advise, or help direct you to someone who can offer more guidance.
Issued by HM Government of Gibraltar, 6th October 2025:
🔹 What Has Happened
The Government of Gibraltar has issued Legal Notice No. 246 of 2025 — Immigration (EU Exit) Regulations 2025.
This regulation temporarily changes how EEA nationals (citizens of EU and EFTA countries) can live and work in Gibraltar.
The measure came into effect immediately on 6 October 2025.
🔹 What This Means
From 6 October 2025, EEA nationals who do not already hold valid residence documents will no longer have an automatic right to live in Gibraltar for more than three months.
This change is described as temporary and is designed to help manage a sudden increase in applications from EEA nationals seeking to reside in Gibraltar.
🔹 Who Is Affected
You are affected if you are an EEA national and:
You were living or planning to move to Gibraltar after 6 October 2025, and
You do not yet hold one of the following:
A registration certificate
A residence card
A document certifying permanent residence, or
A permanent residence card
You are not affected if:
You already hold one of the above documents, or
You submitted an application for one before 6 October 2025 (even if it has not yet been approved).
🔹 Limited Exceptions
The Gibraltar authorities may still issue new residence documents in exceptional circumstances, such as:
To comply with an international obligation;
To prevent extreme hardship; or
Where required for economic reasons (for example, essential workers or investors).
Any such exception requires the Chief Minister’s approval.
🔹 Duration of the Measure
This suspension is temporary.
It will remain in place until the Chief Minister issues an Order lifting it, which will be published in the Gibraltar Gazette.
🔹 Why the Change Was Made
According to the Government’s explanatory memorandum, the measure aims to:
Manage the unprecedented influx of EEA nationals seeking residence;
Protect Gibraltar’s administrative capacity and housing resources; and
Ensure that genuine applicants and economic contributors are prioritised.
🔹 What Clients Should Do Now
If you already hold a residence document:
✅ No action is required. Your rights remain valid.
If you have already applied but not yet received your document:
✅ Your application will still be processed in the normal way.
If you were planning to apply now:
⚠️ New applications cannot currently be accepted unless you qualify under an exception (international obligation, hardship, or economic interest).
