Most visitors reach Gibraltar on foot or by car from La Línea de la Concepción, often on a day out from the Costa del Sol, and spend the day on the Rock: the cable car, the Upper Rock nature reserve with its Barbary macaques and siege tunnels, Main Street and Europa Point. Flights into Gibraltar's own airport come only from the UK. As a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar left the EU with the UK and is outside the Roam Like at Home area, so a European SIM on Gibraltar's network pays its operator's roaming rates.
Key facts for Gibraltar
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: Gibtelecom (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 999 for police, ambulance and fire
- Embassies: none, as a British territory; some countries have honorary consuls
The border since July 2026
Under the UK–EU agreement applied provisionally from 15 July 2026, there are no immigration checks on people crossing the land border between Spain and Gibraltar. Passport control has moved to Gibraltar International Airport, where Gibraltar's own checks are followed by Schengen checks carried out by the Spanish authorities, including registration in the EU's Entry/Exit System for the travellers it applies to. Time spent in Gibraltar now counts towards the 90 days in any 180 that short-stay visitors may spend in the Schengen area, and some goods must be declared to customs at the airport.
Which network your phone picks
Gibraltar is tiny and sits within sight of both Spain and Morocco, so a phone can connect to a Spanish or a Moroccan network while you are standing on the Rock. On a Spanish network an EU plan works as it does at home; on a Moroccan one roaming charges can be high. Gibtelecom, the local operator, advises selecting its network, GIBTEL, manually in your phone's settings. Visitors from outside Europe avoid the question with a plan that covers both sides: a Europe plan includes Gibraltar and Spain, and a Mediterranean plan adds Morocco if you continue across the Strait.
Around the Rock
Violent and street crime are rare, but keep an eye on your belongings in busy places. Driving is on the right, the roads are narrow and the maximum speed is 50 km/h, and hire cars and other non-resident vehicles may not be driven into the Upper Rock nature reserve, so go up by cable car, on a tour or on foot. Gibraltar's laws on alcohol, drugs and anti-social behaviour are similar to those in the UK.
The currency is the pound sterling. Bank of England notes are accepted, while Scottish and Northern Irish notes usually are not; some shops take euros at their own exchange rate, and cards are widely used.
Healthcare
St Bernard's, at Europort, is the only hospital, and some emergency cases are transferred to Spain for treatment. British visitors receive emergency care on showing a British passport, and the FCDO advises bringing a GHIC or EHIC; other travellers should carry insurance.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM installed at home handles data on either side of the frontier: a Europe plan covers Gibraltar together with Spain, and a Gibraltar plan suits a stay on the Rock alone. Keep your usual SIM for texts and bank codes, with data roaming switched off.
Gibtelecom sells pay-as-you-go SIM cards with data bundles that last 30 days.
Consular protection: who to call in Gibraltar
- Call 999 for the police, an ambulance or the fire service. Since March 2024 it is the single emergency number for all three.
- Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, so there is no British embassy, and British nationals who need help deal with the Gibraltar authorities. Several countries, including France, Italy, Belgium and Sweden, have honorary consuls in Gibraltar.
- EU citizens whose country has no consulate able to help them in Gibraltar can ask the consulate of any other EU country, which must assist them on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- English is the official language, and Spanish is widely spoken.
Questions travellers ask about Gibraltar
Does my EU plan work in Gibraltar?
Only when your phone is on a Spanish network. On Gibtelecom's network an EU plan is roaming outside Roam Like at Home, and your operator sets the price.
Is there still passport control at the land border?
No. Since 15 July 2026 there are no immigration checks on the land crossing; checks take place at Gibraltar's airport for people arriving by air.
Which network does a Telcomia eSIM use in Gibraltar?
Gibtelecom, with 4G where available.
What number do I call in an emergency?
999, for the police, an ambulance or the fire service.
The short version
Install the eSIM before you travel, choose GIBTEL or a plan that also covers Spain, watch for Moroccan networks near the Strait, go up the Rock by cable car or on foot, and save 999.
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