Although Gibraltar shares a land border with Spain, the territory observes the United Kingdom’s exemption from the European Union’s Schengen Area. Even with the U.K. preparing to exit the European Union and Gibraltar remaining a British overseas territory, there is no reason to suspect that Gibraltar’s immigration requirements will change with respect to United States citizens.
Per a treaty/agreement between Great Britain and the United States, travelers with a valid U.S. passport are granted a visa exemption.This visa exception allows stays of up to a total of 90 days within a 180 day period. Entry into Gibraltar using the visa exception for United States citizens requires the following:
- A valid passport with at least six months validity.
Proof of onward travel is not required, but may be requested at the discretion of the border agents in Gibraltar. Passport stamps are not applied to U.S. passports upon arrival to Gibraltar International Airport. I have read that you can request a stamp when entering via the land border crossing with Spain, but I have not tested this.
Spain is a part of the Schengen Area – If you wish to cross from Gibraltar into Spain or vice-versa, read my article on Schengen Area visa requirements.
Travel Safety & Advisories
For the most up to date and detailed information on the safety of travel to Gibraltar, read the country report (for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) authored and released by the United States Department of State at www.travel.state.gov.
Resources In An Emergency
If you encounter a medical emergency or are a victim of a crime in Munich, contact the local authorities immediately. Although 9-1-1 is the emergency number in the United States, that is not true in the majority of other countries. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the list of international emergency phone numbers.
The United States does not maintain an embassy or consulate in Gibraltar, but you can contact the U.S. Embassy in London for assistance:
Phone: +44 (20) 7499-9000
Phone (24-hours/Emergency): +44 (20) 7499-9000
E-mail: SCSLondon@state.gov
Website: https://uk.usembassy.gov/
