Traveling Luck for Gibraltar. Gibraltar, Europe

Gibraltar is located in Southwestern Europe, bordering the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southern coast of Spain.

Land in Gibraltar is a narrow coastal lowland borders the Rock of Gibraltar.

Gibraltar land covers an area of 6.5 square kilometers which is about 11 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Gibraltar has borders with Spain for 1.2km.

Gibraltar flag Gibraltar national flag (Flag of Gibraltar)

As for the Gibraltar climate; Mediterranean with mild winters and warm summers.

Gibraltarian(s) speak English (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese.

Places of note in Gibraltar

Gibraltar Map Gibraltar map

Regions of Gibraltar

Strategically important, Gibraltar was reluctantly ceded to Great Britain by Spain in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht; the British garrison was formally declared a colony in 1830. In a referendum held in 1967, Gibraltarians voted overwhelmingly to remain a British dependency. Although the current 1969 Constitution for Gibraltar states that the British government will never allow the people of Gibraltar to pass under the sovereignty of another state against their freely and democratically expressed wishes, a series of talks were held by the UK and Spain between 1997 and 2002 on establishing temporary joint sovereignty over Gibraltar. In response to these talks, the Gibraltarian Government set up a referendum in late 2002 in which a majority of the citizens voted overwhelmingly against any sharing of sovereignty with Spain. Since the referendum, tripartite talks have been held with Spain, UK, and Gibraltar.

Country Profile for Gibraltar

Self-sufficient Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 7% to the local economy, compared with 60% in 1984. The financial sector, tourism (almost 5 million visitors in 1998), shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. The financial sector, the shipping sector, and tourism each contribute 25%-30% of GDP. Telecommunications accounts for another 10%. In recent years, Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a private sector economy, but changes in government spending still have a major impact on the level of employment.

Gibraltar natural resources include none

strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea

Gibraltar religion is Roman Catholic 78.1%, Church of England 7%, other Christian 3.2%, Muslim 4%, Jewish 2.1%, Hindu 1.8%, other or unspecified 0.9%, none 2.9% (2001 census).

Natural hazards in Gibraltar include NA.

Travel Advice for Gibraltar

Gibraltar

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Health section (EHIC).  The overall level of the advice has not changed.

SUMMARY

  • Gibraltar shares with the rest of Europe a threat from international terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets.

  • If you are travelling to Spain as well as Gibraltar, you should check the Travel advice for Spain.

  • 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.  The General section of this Travel Advice gives you more information about this.

  • Most visits to Gibraltar are trouble-free. Violence or street crime is rare.

  • We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see:  Travel Insurance


SAFETY AND SECURITY


Gibraltar shares with the rest of Europe a threat from international terrorism.  Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets.

Please read:  Security and General Tips and Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas pages for further information and advice.

Crime

Violence or street crime is rare.

Political Situation

Gibraltar Country Profile

Local Travel

Border Queues

Vehicles may experience delays when entering Gibraltar from Spain and vice versa.  These delays normally last for around thirty minutes, but sometimes increase to between one to two hours.  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 42777) (tel:  +9567 42777 if telephoning from Spain).


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.


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, Arundel Great Court, 178-179 Strand, London WC2R 1EL; Tel:  020 7836 0777; email info@gibraltar.gov.uk; Website:  http://www.gibraltar.gov.uk

The Principal Immigration Officer, Police Headquarters, Gibraltar; e-mail: csro@gibnynex.gi ; tel:  +(350) 51725; fax:  + (350) 42706). (Note – during summer months, this office is open until 13:00 GMT).


HEALTH

We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see Travel Insurance.

Most medical problems can be dealt with locally.  If you are a British nationals 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.  You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature.  For more information about how to obtain the EHIC please see: NaTHNaC website.

The main hospital is St Bernard’s at Europort (tel:  +350 79700).

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at www.dh.gov.uk.


GENERAL

If things go wrong when overseas, please see:  What We Can Do To Help

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.

Information on the Duty Free Allowances when entering Spain from Gibraltar can be found at Gibraltar Customs (Exporting to Spain).

Exporting to the UK

If you are returning directly to the UK from Gibraltar, information on the Duty Free allowances is available at:  Gibraltar Customs (Exporting to the UK).

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 following Gibraltar Authorities:

The Government of Gibraltar Civil Status and Registration Office (for passports, birth, marriage and death registration and other routine consular matters).
(Tel: +350 51725); (Fax: +350 42706); e-mail:  csro@gibnynex.gi.

The Royal Gibraltar Police
(Tel:  +350 72500) for general enquiries or 199 in emergencies.

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.