Working in Gibraltar

Gibraltar’s local economy is largely based on tourism, logistics and the financial sector, with plenty of opportunities available to expats who have skills and experience in these areas.

Gibraltar is an ideal assignment for many people, owing to its convenient location and the fact that English is the language of business. Following Brexit, EU and EEA citizens no longer have automatic rights to live and work in Gibraltar and will need to apply for appropriate work permits and residence permits. Non-EEA citizens will also need work and residence permits to legally take up employment in the British territory.

Job market in Gibraltar

Thanks to Gibraltar’s favourable tax conditions, the country’s financial services – particularly offshore banking – is a thriving industry.

Tourism is another major sector. With millions of visitors heading to Gibraltar each year, there’s plenty of work in this industry, especially during the busy summer months.

Gibraltar has also become a global leader in the online gaming industry. This is once again due to its favourable tax climate, as well as other aspects such as reliable internet connectivity and a well-developed regulatory system. Companies running online gambling are particularly prominent in Gibraltar.

Finding a job in Gibraltar

Word of mouth and personal recommendations are the best way to secure a job in Gibraltar, but if you haven’t yet made the move, explore online job portals, expat forums and recruitment agencies.

The difficulty of obtaining a job depends very much on the industry. If you have specialised skills in one of Gibraltar’s main industries, you stand a better chance of finding work.

As English is commonly spoken throughout Gibraltar, it’s possible to get a job without knowledge of Spanish. That said, Spanish skills can sometimes set you apart from other candidates who don’t speak the language.

Work culture in Gibraltar

Gibraltar’s work culture is similar to that of the UK in many ways. Politeness, punctuality and respect are important cornerstones of working life. Make sure you arrange all meetings in advance, as preparing for meetings is key in Gibraltar.

The standard working week is 40 hours, with 48 hours a week being the legal maximum. Employees are entitled to 28 days of annual leave per year for full-time work.