Gibraltar Self-employed permit

One-year, renewable residence permit for people working on their own account in Gibraltar whose average gross annual earnings reach the Gibraltar average (£37,500 (≈ $49,600)), who have a Gibraltar property and are 55 or under; first-time self-employed applicants pay a deposit. ^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8}

What you must show and pay

• Income of at least GBP 37,500 a year (≈ $49,600) · Average gross annual earnings of the self-employed applicant must be at least the average gross annual earnings in Gibraltar, £37,500 (≈ $49,600) for the current year. ^{1 2}
• A fee of GBP 250 (≈ $330) · Fee for an application for a residence permit, also payable for each family member included in the application (Residency Regulations 2026, reg. 21). ^{1 5}
• A fee of GBP 20 a year (≈ $26) · Fee for each renewal of the residence permit, also payable for each family member (Residency Regulations 2026, reg. 21(2)-(3)); permits are valid for one year unless the Regulations state otherwise (reg. 18(1)). ^{1 5}
• A fee of GBP 9,375 (≈ $12,400) · Deposit for a person not previously registered as self-employed. A deposit equal to 25% of the average gross annual earnings of £37,500 (≈ $49,600) (£9,375, (≈ $12,400) calculated from the official average) plus the total social insurance contribution for the first year of self-employment; refundable if the application fails and set against liabilities. ^{1 2}

Requirements

• The applicant works for their own account and is not an employee. ¹
• Average gross annual earnings are at least £37,500, (≈ $49,600) the average gross annual earnings in Gibraltar. ^{1 2}
• The applicant is 55 years old or under and fully vetted by the authorities of the country of most recent habitual residence. ¹
• The applicant is eligible for a licence under the Fair Trading Act 2023, or for regulation if the business is regulated. ¹
• The Chief Minister may waive the earnings or age requirement for skills important to Gibraltar or for shortage sectors. ¹
• First-time self-employed applicants pay a deposit of the first-year social insurance plus 25% of average earnings, which can be reduced for good reason. ^{1 2}
• Permit fee of £250 (≈ $330) per applicant and per family member; each yearly renewal costs £20 (≈ $26). ^{1 5}
• Purchase or rental agreement for a primary-residence property in Gibraltar; a rental must run at least 12 months and not be a holiday let. ^{1 2}
• Business registration and licence under the Fair Trading Act 2023, and the official vetting form from the country of origin. ^{1 2}
• Register as self-employed with the Department of Employment and then with the Income Tax Office. ⁶
• Apply in the form set by the Department of Immigration and Home Affairs; a failed application returns the deposit within 30 days. ^{1 4}
• The permit lasts one year and is renewed yearly if the conditions still apply; the age limit is not re-tested. ¹
• Self-employed social insurance is 20% of gross earnings, between £1,583.40 (≈ $2,090) and £2,784.60 (≈ $3,680) a year. ^{7 8}
• The Government's residence criteria paper says that a person who becomes resident after 6 October 2025 would qualify for Gibraltarian Status only with British citizenship and after 20 years of residence (10 years for people resident before that date), and that the Government intends to legislate for this; residence gives no right to elderly residential care, domiciliary care, public housing or other social benefits. ²

Stay

• One-year residence permit, renewed yearly while the conditions are met.
• Initial permitted stay: 12 months.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

No nationality restriction in the Residency Regulations 2026.

Work

Self-employment in the registered business.

Family

Spouse or civil partner, children under 18 and children over 18 in full-time education can be included; the spouse requires a social insurance deposit and each family member pays the permit fee.

Checked 2026-10-12

Official sources

1. Residency Regulations 2026 (LN 2026/166, in force 14 July 2026) · HM Government of Gibraltar, Gibraltar Laws · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-07-09
2. Criteria for individuals applying for Residence in Gibraltar · Ministry of Health, Care and Business, HM Government of Gibraltar · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-06-17
3. Government announces new Residence Criteria framework - 466/2026 · HM Government of Gibraltar, Press Office · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-06-17
4. Department of Immigration & Home Affairs · HM Government of Gibraltar, Department of Immigration & Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
5. Table of Fees 2026 · HM Government of Gibraltar, Department of Immigration & Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-11
6. Income Tax Office: income tax for individuals · HM Government of Gibraltar, Income Tax Office · checked 2026-10-11
7. Social Insurance Contribution Class with effect from 1 July 2026 · HM Government of Gibraltar, Income Tax Office · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2026-07-01
8. Self-Employed Persons: Guide to Social Insurance (applicable from 1 July 2025) · HM Government of Gibraltar, Income Tax Office · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2025-07-01