If you’ve got a holiday to Gibraltar planned, or you’re thinking about combining Gibraltar with Spain, there are some important changes that UK travellers need to be aware of.
From 15 July 2026, new arrangements have come into effect at the Gibraltar–Spain border following the UK–EU agreement on Gibraltar. The aim is to make travel between Gibraltar and Spain smoother in the long term, but there are a few things UK passport holders need to understand before they go.
So, what’s changing?
Flying into Gibraltar
If you’re arriving at Gibraltar Airport, you’ll now go through two checks:
- Gibraltar immigration first
- Spanish Schengen checks afterwards
This means you’ll be registered through the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES), with ETIAS travel authorisation applying once it launches.
Crossing into Spain
Once you’ve completed your checks, you’ll be able to move freely between Gibraltar and Spain without additional border checks at the land frontier — great news for anyone staying on one side and exploring the other.
The important bit for UK travellers
The biggest change to be aware of is this:
Time spent in Gibraltar now counts towards your Schengen 90 days in any 180-day period.
So, if you’re planning a longer European adventure, make sure you include your Gibraltar days when calculating your total time in Spain and other Schengen countries.
Your passport must also:
- Have been issued within the last 10 years;
- Be valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure date.
And please don’t leave this check until the airport — travellers who don’t meet the requirements could be refused entry.
A few extra things to know:
If you’re a British-Irish dual national and travel on your Irish passport, you’ll be treated as an EU citizen, meaning the 90/180-day rule won’t apply.
- Planning to stay longer than 90 days? You’ll need to register with Gibraltar’s immigration authorities.
- Travelling soon? Give yourself extra time at Gibraltar Airport while the new processes bed in.
Our advice?
Before you travel, check your passport now, especially if it’s been sitting in a drawer since your last holiday. A quick five-minute check today could save a lot of stress later.
For the latest updates, always check the official FCDO travel advice before departure.