What visa arrangements apply under the 2026 UK/EU Treaty in relation to Gibraltar?
Short answer
Since 15 July 2026 Gibraltar has aligned its short-stay visa policy with the Schengen area and recognises Schengen short-stay visas issued by any Schengen State. Where the main purpose of a visit is Gibraltar, Spain issues the visa, and the UK in respect of Gibraltar may object on public policy, security or health grounds. People legally resident in Gibraltar no longer need a Schengen short-stay visa to visit the Schengen area.
Detailed answer
Short stays are limited to 90 days in any 180-day period. A traveller whose nationality requires a Schengen visa now needs one to enter Gibraltar, and published guidance indicates the former UK visa application process for travel to Gibraltar ended on 8 July 2026. If the UK signals that a visa should not be valid for Gibraltar, Spain will ensure it is not valid for that territory. For exceptional humanitarian visas issued at the border by UK authorities, Spain may object, and the UK must then refrain from issuing the visa. These visa arrangements do not create any right to live or work in Gibraltar or in the Schengen area. Residence in Gibraltar remains a separate matter governed by Gibraltar law, although Spain may object to the grant of Gibraltar residence permits on specified grounds, including security. HM Government of Gibraltar has published a list of visa-exempt nationalities in Technical Notice 558/2026.