Living

What are the new rules relating to Gibraltarian Status and permanent residence in Gibraltar?

Short answer

Gibraltar has tightened the rules on both Gibraltarian Status and permanent residence. The Gibraltarian Status and Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2025 was published on 30 October 2025 and passed by Parliament in July 2026. The official consolidated Gibraltarian Status Act now records the amendments as taking effect from 30 October 2025. The main changes to Gibraltarian Status are as follows. Registration by descent is limited in most cases to people with a parent who is a registered Gibraltarian. A child is defined as someone under 18. The continuous residence needed for registration by Ministerial discretion rises from 10 to 20 years. The Government has said the 20-year period applies to people who became resident after 6 October 2025, and that earlier residents keep the 10-year period. The Bill also proposed raising the qualifying period for permanent residence under section 55N of the Immigration, Asylum and Refugee Act from 5 to 10 years, excluding people protected by the Withdrawal Agreement and related agreements. Separately, day-to-day residence has been governed since 14 July 2026 by the Residency Regulations 2026.

Detailed answer

Gibraltar has tightened the rules on who can become a Gibraltarian and how long it takes to qualify for permanent residence. The changes come from the Gibraltarian Status and Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2025, published on 30 October 2025.

Where the law stands

Parliament passed the Bill in July 2026. The official consolidated Gibraltarian Status Act records amendments to sections 2, 5, 8, 8A and 9 by an amending Act of 2026, with effect from 30 October 2025.

Gibraltarian Status: what changed

  • Descent: registration will in most cases be limited to people with a parent who is a registered Gibraltarian. The route through a grandparent who was merely entitled to register is closed.
  • Children: a child now means a person under 18, closing a route that had been used to claim status for adult children.
  • Long residence: registration by Ministerial discretion under section 9(f) requires 20 years of continuous residence, up from 10.

The Government's June 2026 policy paper explains that the 20-year period applies to people who become resident after 6 October 2025. People who held a valid Civilian Registration Card or permit of residence and were in Gibraltar before that date need only 10 years.

Permanent residence

The Bill amended section 55N of the Immigration, Asylum and Refugee Act to increase the qualifying period for permanent residence from 5 to 10 years. The Government stated that this does not apply to anyone within the scope of the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement, the EEA EFTA separation agreement or the Swiss citizens' rights agreement. Confirm how section 55N applies to you with the Civil Status and Registration Office before relying on a timeline.

How this fits with the new residence regime

Day-to-day residence has been governed since 14 July 2026 by the Residency Regulations 2026, which introduced annually renewed residence permits. Residence gives access to healthcare and schooling for immediate family. Public housing, elderly residential care and other wider benefits are reserved for those with Gibraltarian Status.

Why the Government made these changes

The Government said the reforms respond to pressure on Gibraltar's institutions from a rapid rise in arrivals, and are intended to ensure that Gibraltarian Status reflects a deep and genuine connection with Gibraltar.

By Selwyn Figueras, Hassans International Law Firm Limited - speak to my AI me at Experteely