Can children of cross-border workers or non-residents attend Gibraltar government schools?

Question

Accepted Answer

Free government schooling is tied to the child living in Gibraltar with a resident parent or guardian. Children who live in Spain are generally not entitled to a government school place even if a parent works in Gibraltar, and Category 2 status does not confer any entitlement to publicly funded schooling.
Who is entitled
Under the Education and Training Act, no fees are charged for admission to, or education in, government schools for children of compulsory school age who reside in Gibraltar. Entitlement therefore turns on residence. The Department of Education requires proof of residence at enrolment and has said it scrutinises applications for eligibility, extending checks to pupils already at school. Children found not to be entitled are asked to make alternative arrangements from the end of the academic year.
Frontier workers and the 2026 treaty
The UK-EU treaty on Gibraltar, provisionally applied from 15 July 2026, gives the children of frontier workers equal access to education in Gibraltar, but only where those children reside in Gibraltar. A family living in La Linea or elsewhere in Spain with one parent working in Gibraltar does not gain a government school place by virtue of that employment.
Category 2 and new residents
In June 2026 the Government reaffirmed that Category 2 (high net worth) status does not confer entitlement to publicly funded schooling or healthcare. The residence framework introduced for new applicants from October 2025 lists schooling for the children of residents among its benefits, subject to the applicant meeting the residence criteria.
Fee-paying places
The Act allows fees to be charged in some circumstances, and the Department has been reported to accept a small number of fee-paying pupils, without a choice of school. This should be confirmed directly with the Department before relying on it.
Private schools
Loreto Convent, Talmud Torah and Prior Park School set their own admissions policies and do not apply the government residence test.

Can children of cross-border workers or non-residents attend Gibraltar government schools?

Short answer

Detailed answer

Who is entitled

Frontier workers and the 2026 treaty

Category 2 and new residents

Fee-paying and private options