How to Find a Job in Gibraltar : The Ultimate Guide 2023
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Work Culture in Gibraltar
Work Ethics
Gibraltar’s work culture is similar to that of the UK. Politeness, punctuality, and respect are important cornerstones of working life.
Working Hours
The standard working week in Gibraltar is 40 hours, with 48 hours a week being the legal maximum.
Annual Leave
Employees are allowed 15 days of annual leave. After eight years of service, this increases to 25 days of leave per year.
Work Permit and Residence Permit
EU Nationals
EU and EEA citizens looking to live and work in Gibraltar do not need avisa. However, non-EEA citizens will need work and residence permits to legally take up employment in the British territory.
Non-EU Nationals
Conditions for non-EU nationals are stricter and will depend on whether a company can find someone from the EU/EAA to fill the position. If you are not from the EU and wish to work in the territory, you will need to apply to the Employment Training Board and you will only be able to do so once you already have an employment contract.
UK Citizens
If you are from the UK, however, since Gibraltar is a British territory, you will be allowed to work without a residence permit.
Self-Employment in Gibraltar
Registration
If you intend to be self-employed in Gibraltar, you will need to register with the Employment Office and the Income Tax office.
Requirements
Most expats register as a sole trader. The process is usually straightforward.
- You need to complete an application form (S1) for registration as a self-employed person and send it to the Gibraltar Tax Office. The application takes approximately five working days to be considered.
- You need to register with the Employment Service after your application is approved by the Gibraltar Tax Office. You will receive an information pack with all the necessary documents from the Gibraltar Tax Office.
- You need to register your business name with Companies House Gibraltar if you wish to trade with a name other than your own name. The name has to be unique and approved before registration. You will have to pay a fee and obtain a Certificate of Registration of a Business Name.
- You may need to obtain a trade licence depending on the kind of business you are operating. For example, retailers may require a trade licence. You can find information about the different types of licences that may need to be obtained on the Department of Business and Employment website.
- You need to pay personal income tax rates as a sole trader and declare your business income and any losses on your personal tax return form. Tax returns for sole traders must be submitted by 30 November following the tax year for which tax is assessed; tax payments are due on 31 January and 30 June each year of assessment.
Skills and Qualifications
Required Skills
Those with specialized skills in one of Gibraltar’s main industries stand a good chance of finding work.
Language Skills
As English is commonly spoken throughout Gibraltar, it’s possible to get a job without knowledge of Spanish. However, Spanish skills can sometimes set applicants apart from those that don’t speak the language.
