NON-EEA APPLICATIONS

Non-EEA nationals wishing to take up residence for the purpose of pursuing an economic activity in Gibraltar should, in the case of those intending to set up in business, contact the Commercial Director of the Department of Trade and Industry, in the first instance.  Those seeking to take up employment should approach the Employment and Training Board.  Visas to enter Gibraltar will not be authorised unless it can be established that there is a genuine intention and ability to set up a business.  In the same way a visa for a person intending to take up employment will not authorised unless the Employment and training Board confirms that there would be no objection in principle to the issue of a work permit.

Persons who do not wish to pursue an economic activity in Gibraltar would, under the provisions of the Immigration Control Ordinance, need to show that they are of good character and that it would be in the best interests of Gibraltar that they should be issued with a residence permit, applications are considered on their individual merit and the Civil Status & Registration Office processes requests for residency in this category.  Individuals are expected to provide evidence as to their good character, financial standing and good health.  Although ownership of accommodation is not an absolute requirement, it is considered an advantage.  The issue of a residence permit under these arrangements is discretionary; therefore a final commitment to purchase should not be entered into before approval in principal to the issue of a residence permit is given.

Residence permits are normally issued for a maximum period of one year and are renewed annually provided the immigration authorities are satisfied that there has been no material change of circumstances.

Enquiries and applications for residence permits should be addressed to;

Civil Status & Registration Office
Joshua Hassan House
Secretary’s Lane
Gibraltar
Tel:   +350 200 51725
Fax:  +350 200 43053
Email:  csro @ gibraltar.gov.gi

EC Nationals

All EC nationals require a residence permit to live and work in Gibraltar and the Civil Status and Registration Office accept applications.  I enclose the following information on this:

•    Information on EEA nationals.
•    Information on application of residence permit for employed and self-employed individuals.
•    Information on application of residence permit for retired / self-sufficient individuals.

EEA Nationals

An EEA national has the right to enter Gibraltar on production of a valid passport or national identity card, and remain for 3 months in order to seek employment or to establish himself under any other qualifying category.  An EEA national who exercises EEA rights as a qualified person and establishes himself in Gibraltar acquires the right to reside by virtue of this and must register for residence during or after residing in Gibraltar for 3 months. Residence documentation will have a renewable validity of 5 years although a civilian registration card will be issued for 12 months in the first instance.  

The families (whether themselves EEA or non-EEA nationals) of established qualified persons also have the right to reside provided the qualified person has suitable accommodation for them.  Family members must also apply for residence documentation after being in Gibraltar for 3 months.  The residence documentation to family members will have the same validity as the documentation issued to the qualified person.  The non-EEA visa requiring family members of a qualified person will need to obtain an EEA family permit in order to enter Gibraltar.

EEA nationals who are self-sufficient and who do not intend to take up economic activity in Gibraltar also have the right to reside as qualified persons provided they and their dependants have sufficient resources to avoid becoming a burden on the social assistance system of Gibraltar, are covered by sickness insurance in respect of all risks and have suitable accommodation.

Retired self-sufficient  UK nationals who are in receipt of a state pension in the UK may not need to take out sickness insurance if they are included in the list of pensioners who are entitled to medical treatment under the Gibraltar Health Authority.  Such persons who wish to be included on the list should contact the following:

Notwithstanding the right of an EEA National to live and work in Gibraltar, any such person can be refused entry, or after entry may be required to leave on the grounds of public policy, public security or public health.

EEA National – Employed

Must present the following…

1.    Passport or National ID Card.
2.    ETB registration.  If registration took place six months or more before the application for a residence permit, request a letter from employer stating that person is still working there.
3.    Proof of accommodation, i.e. Rental Agreement (valid for six months) if property rented by company, a letter stating the person is living there from the company.  If renting, rental agreement or letter from estate agent.  If living with someone who owns property deeds or underlease a detailed letter explaining under what basis is living in the house, (family, boyfriend/girlfriend).  If Government rented, Housing information list.
4.    1 photo
5.    £5.00

EEA national self-employed

Must present the following…

1.    Passport or National ID Card.
2.    ETB registration as self-employed
3.    Business Certificate
4.    DSS Schedule
5.    Proof of accommodation as above
6.    1 photo
7.    £5.00

Retired / Self-sufficient

Must present the following…

1.    Passport
2.    Proof of income (Pension dividends, bank statements) needs to be drawn from a local bank
3.    Private medical insurance or if British citizen and entitled to NHS in the UK to get in touch with GHA and have rights transferred over, or health card
4.    Proof of accommodation as above

Civilian Registration Card

Initially, it is issued for 1 year at the same time as the residence documentation, then for 4 years and renewable every 5 years thereafter to coincide with the permit.  Should you require any further information please contact the Civil Status and Registration Office on (350) 200 51725 or E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Employment

Turning now to employment in Gibraltar, in the case of non-EU nationals, only holders of residence permits are able to register for employment with the Employment and Training Board (ETB). However EU nationals are free to seek employment in Gibraltar in their own right and once they have secured employment they will need to register with the ETB.

(See notes above). ETB’s telephone number is (350) 200 40408.

Details of employment agencies can be found at the Gibraltar yellow pages:- http://www.gibyellow.gi/

Healthcare

Focusing now on healthcare, this is only available to residents and their dependants and is not a free service unless an exemption is granted.  Individuals contribute to this through their social insurance stamps when they commence employment.  Forms E111 are accepted for visitors who require emergency treatment.

Should you require any further information please contact Primary Care Centre on (350) 200 72355.  You may find further information on private medical clinics on:  www.gibyellow.gi

Should you wish to transfer any benefits, including unemployment benefit, this will need to be arranged prior to your departure as UK national insurance contributions are not transferable.

You may also find the following websites sites useful www.gibraltar.gi and www.gibraltar.gov.gi

The second site is the official Government website which will give you details of all Government departments including Social Security and Income Tax.

Education

With regards to education, only the resident children of persons who reside in Gibraltar are entitled to free schooling.  You will need to produce your permit of residency to the Civil Status Office so that your child is also issued with a residence permit and Civilian Registration Card.  You should also produce your marriage certificate and the child’s long birth certificate.

Residence permit and the Civilian Registration card together with the child’s birth certificate will need to be presented at the Education Department, (details below) where you will be required to fill in a form for enrollment.

Education Department
40 Town Range
Gibraltar
Tel: +350 200 77486 / +350 200 78638
Fax: +350 200 71564
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Drivers License

Finally to apply for a driver’s license you need to present your Civilian Registration Card, fill in a form and pay a fee to:

Department of Transport
Motor Vehicle Test Centre
Eastern Beach Road
Gibraltar
Tel: +350 200 51603
Fax: +350 200 77984
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

If you are driving into Gibraltar on holiday your driving licence is valid, even if you drive a rented car.

If you come to Gibraltar to live then it is best if you exchange your current licence for a local one.  

Procedure:
You have to be resident for 6 months and have a valid ID card issued locally.  Once these documents have been obtained you must go to MOT Centre and obtain an Exchange Form.  Once this has been completed return the filled form together with your ID card, £20, 2 photos and your driving licence

Accommodation

Turning now to accommodation only registered Gibraltarians are entitled to council housing, however, you may find details of private estate agents in Gibraltar at www.gibyellow.gi