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Who the new rules apply to

Whether Gibraltar's new residency rules apply to you, or you remain on the previous regime.

Gibraltar’s new residency rules apply to people applying for residency on or after 6 October 2025. They apply to you unless you already held a valid residence card on that date.

If the new rules apply to you

The new rules apply to you if you did not hold a valid Civilian Registration Card (CRC) or Permit of Residence on 6 October 2025. You apply through the new process — the online portal — whether you were in Gibraltar before that date without a valid card, or you became resident afterwards.

If you already held a residence card on 6 October 2025

The new rules do not apply to you if you held a valid Civilian Registration Card (CRC) or Permit of Residence on 6 October 2025. Having held residency in Gibraltar in the past is not enough — your card or permit must have been valid on that date.

If this is you, you remain on the previous regime and the time period for applying for Gibraltarian Status is respected. You do not apply through the online portal — the Department of Immigration and Home Affairs deals with your residency directly.

Note:

A Gibraltar identity card — the red card — means you have the right of abode in Gibraltar. If you hold one, the new residency framework does not affect you.

How this affects Gibraltarian Status

The period of residence before you can apply for Gibraltarian Status depends on when you became resident:

  • 20 years if you become a resident on or after 6 October 2025
  • 10 years if you held a valid Civilian Registration Card or Permit of Residence on 6 October 2025

Read more in guidance and rules.

If the new rules apply to you, the next step is to check whether you meet the residency criteria.

Check if you can apply