TL;DR: Visiting Gibraltar from the UK

British citizens need a passport (UK ID cards not accepted) to enter Gibraltar. Direct flights from London Heathrow (British Airways) and London Gatwick (easyJet) take about 3 hours. Gibraltar uses the Gibraltar Pound (pegged to GBP) — UK pounds are accepted everywhere. Duty-free allowances apply on return to the UK: 200 cigarettes, 1L spirits, 4L wine, 16L beer.

Do I Need a Passport for Gibraltar from the UK?

Yes — British citizens need a valid passport. UK national ID cards are not accepted for entry to Gibraltar. EU/EEA nationals can use a national ID card instead. From 15 July 2026, the UK-EU-Spain agreement removes checks at the Gibraltar-Spain land border, but you must still carry valid ID — controls apply at Gibraltar's airport and seaport.

Flights from the UK to Gibraltar

British Airways — Direct flights from London Heathrow to Gibraltar Airport (GIB). Flight time ~3 hours. easyJet — Direct flights from London Gatwick to Gibraltar. Flight time ~3 hours. Alternative: Fly to Málaga (more flight options from UK regional airports) and drive or bus to La Línea (1.5–2 hours).

Gibraltar Airport is unique — the runway crosses the main road into Gibraltar. When a plane lands or takes off, the road closes. It's a 20-minute walk or £5–8 taxi from the airport to the town centre.

Gibraltar Duty-Free Allowance to the UK

When returning to the UK from Gibraltar, you can bring back duty-free goods within these limits:

Tobacco: 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g tobacco. Alcohol: 4 litres of wine, 16 litres of beer, 1 litre of spirits (>22%) or 2 litres of fortified wine. Other goods: Up to £390 in value (air or sea travel). Above these limits, you'll pay UK duty and VAT.

Currency in Gibraltar for UK Visitors

Gibraltar uses the Gibraltar Pound (GIP), pegged 1:1 to the British Pound Sterling (GBP). UK pounds are accepted everywhere at par. You can withdraw GBP from ATMs. Euros are also accepted but you'll get a worse rate. Change leftover Gibraltar pounds back to GBP at the post office or bank — UK shops don't accept GIP.

Tips for UK Visitors to Gibraltar

No time difference — Gibraltar is on GMT/UTC+0, same as the UK. No roaming charges for UK mobile phones. English is the official language. Gibraltar drives on the right (unlike the UK). The weather is warmer than the UK — pack for Mediterranean climate. UK plug sockets are used (3-pin, Type G).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a passport to go to Gibraltar from the UK? Yes — British citizens need a valid passport. UK ID cards are not accepted.

Can I fly direct to Gibraltar from the UK? Yes — British Airways from London Heathrow and easyJet from London Gatwick. Flight time about 3 hours.

What is the duty-free allowance from Gibraltar to the UK? 200 cigarettes, 1L spirits, 4L wine, 16L beer, and other goods up to £390.

Can I use UK pounds in Gibraltar? Yes — UK pounds are accepted everywhere at par. Gibraltar pounds are pegged 1:1 to GBP.

Can UK citizens travel to Gibraltar without a passport? No — a valid passport is required. UK ID cards are not accepted for entry to Gibraltar.