What happens at passport control when I fly into Gibraltar from the UK?

Short answer

You pass two checks in sequence: a Gibraltar immigration check by the Gibraltar authorities, then a Schengen check by Spanish border officers, including EES registration for visitors who are not EU citizens or Gibraltar residents. Once cleared, you can move freely into Spain and the wider Schengen area.

Detailed answer

Passengers arriving from the UK use a separate route through the terminal to a second-line checks area where both sets of controls are carried out:

1. a Gibraltar immigration check by the Gibraltar authorities
2. a Schengen check by Spanish border officers, including EES registration for visitors who are not EU citizens or Gibraltar residents

Holders of Gibraltar identity cards and Gibraltar civilian registration cards, of any nationality, should use the corridors reserved for them and EU citizens, and present their passport and Gibraltar card together. They are exempt from EES registration, and on Tuesday 13 October 2026 the Government of Gibraltar confirmed that the European Commission had instructed Schengen authorities not to register them. Other passengers go to staffed booths or, once registered in the EES, may be able to use automated gates.

Passengers arriving on flights from Schengen countries pass customs but no immigration controls. On departure to the UK, exit checks are carried out by Spain and then by Gibraltar.