Gibraltar–EU Treaty: Implications for Residence Cards, Schengen Access & Data Sharing

Issuance of New Gibraltar Residence Cards

• New residence permits will be issued under the treaty, replacing the current green, blue, and magenta civilian registration cards.
• These new cards will comply with the EU uniform format for residence permits.
• Transitional arrangements will apply: existing cards will remain valid at the treaty’s entry into force.
• The government may issue the new permits before the treaty takes effect to ensure readiness.
• Red ID cards (for Gibraltarians) are not aƯected – they are not residence permits and will continue to be issued as before.
• Conclusion: No action is required by residents at this stage. The government will manage the transition smoothly.

Recognition of Gibraltar Documents at EU Border eGates

• British passports issued in Gibraltar can already be read by Schengen border IT systems.
• However, they do not distinguish Gibraltarians from other UK nationals.
• The key documents for Schengen border entry under the treaty will be:
  • The Gibraltar Identity Card (red card)
  • The new Gibraltar Residence Permit
• Both will be recognised by Schengen eGate systems once the treaty is in force.
• Holders will need to travel with both passport and ID/residence card when entering the
• Schengen area.
• No immigration checks will apply at the Gibraltar–La Línea land border once the treaty is implemented.

90-Day Schengen Stays and Border Systems

• Non-residents will be subject to the standard 90-day-in-180 rule for Schengen stays.
• Stays will be calculated based on entry/exit records, including through eGates at
• Gibraltar Airport.
• Residence in Gibraltar does not count toward the Schengen 90-day limit.
• Gibraltar residents will benefit from rights under the treaty to move freely in Schengen without passport stamps or needing an ETIAS-style travel authorisation.

Information Sharing with Schengen Authorities

Key Principle: Gibraltar Controls Its Residence System

• Gibraltar retains full competence to assess and issue residence permits.
• The EU originally proposed Spanish control of residence permits – this was successfully
• rejected in negotiations.

Notification Process

• As with Schengen states, Gibraltar will notify the Schengen system (via Spain) when it intends to issue or renew a residence permit.
• This consultation is security-based only—Schengen states may only object if the applicant poses a serious threat, e.g., flagged in the Schengen Information System (SIS).
• This mirrors existing EU internal freedom of movement rules, where restrictions must meet strict legal thresholds.

No List-Based Data Sharing

• There will be no list of residence card or red ID card holders shared with Schengen.
• Red ID card holders (Gibraltarians) are outside the scope of the notification process.
• Renewals of residence permits will trigger notification but not batch data sharing.

Special Exemptions

• UK Armed Forces personnel and UK government officials posted to Gibraltar, and their families, will be exempt from the consultation process.