Reminder Issued On Airport And Schengen Travel Rules

The Government has issued a reminder on new immigration arrangements for Gibraltar ID card holders travelling through Gibraltar Airport and Schengen borders.

A statement from the Government follows below:

Technical Notice: REMINDER concerning immigration arrangements at Gibraltar Airport and the crossing of Schengen external borders 

1. Impact of Treaty Arrangements 

Details with respect to the impact of the treaty arrangements on immigration and the crossing of Schengen external borders were published on 26 February 2026, on the Government’s Treaty website FAQs, upon publication of the text of the treaty. 

The purpose of this Technical Notice is to remind and update the public with respect to arrangements concerning the following: 

1. Immigration arrangements at Gibraltar Airport for Gibraltar identity card holders and Gibraltar civilian registration card holders; 

2. The crossing of Schengen external borders by such persons. 

This Technical Notice will cover only certain aspects relating to the above which HMGoG seeks to underline. To obtain a fuller picture on the impact of the treaty arrangements on immigration matters generally, the public should refer to the FAQs. 

2. Immigration arrangements at Gibraltar Airport for Gibraltar identity card holders and Gibraltar civilian registration card holders. 

HMGoG has explained the nature of the dual checks which will take place at Gibraltar Airport. 

When queuing for immigration controls AT GIBRALTAR AIRPORT, Gibraltar identity card holders and Gibraltar civilian registration card holders, irrespective of nationality, should use the corridors reserved for such persons and EU citizens. 

The UK-EU Agreement and arrangements under it provide that Schengen controls on such persons at Gibraltar Airport are to be conducted with the assistance of e-gates. In the event of teething problems after provisional application of the treaty, technical issues with the e-gates or persons traveling with children under 12, then such controls will be carried out through interaction with the border authorities in the same manner as they have been carried out at the land border in the past.

Gibraltar identity card holders and Gibraltar civilian registration card holders continue to be exempt from EES whether the Schengen identity check is carried out by a machine or by a border guard. 

As HMGoG has already advised, holders of Gibraltar identity cards and Gibraltar civilian registration cards should always carry their passports with them when travelling, irrespective of whether they travel through Gibraltar Airport or Schengen external borders. 

3. The crossing of Schengen external borders by Gibraltar identity card holders and Gibraltar civilian registration card holders. 

HMGoG has explained that the facilitations granted by the treaty to Gibraltar identity card holders and Gibraltar civilian registration card holders (e.g. exemption from the Schengen Entry/Exit System known as the “EES”) will apply at all external borders of the Schengen Area. So, for example, if you take the Eurostar from London to Paris, or if you fly from New York to Berlin or from Malaga to Dubai, the Schengen authorities will apply those facilitations to you at those external borders. 

However, since Gibraltar identity card holders and Gibraltar civilian registration card holders remain third country nationals they will need to queue in the “all other passports” corridor. It is HMGoG’s understanding, however, that this corridor splits into two lanes – one which applies to third country nationals who are exempt from EES requirements and one which applies to other third country nationals. Gibraltar identity card holders and Gibraltar civilian registration card holders would be required to use the former of those two lanes. 

The above will be the position in the immediate term. 

However, HMGoG note that the EU is exploring, with the Schengen States, the possibility of Gibraltar identity card holders and Gibraltar civilian registration card holders using corridors reserved for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. 

HMGoG will notify the public if anything changes as a result of those discussions.

4. Further Information 

For official updates and further guidance, please visit: https://treaty-gov.info/ Alternatively, enquiries may be directed to: 

Department of Immigration and Home Affairs 

Email: visas.diha@gibraltar.gov.gi 

or 

The Gibraltar Borders and Coastguard Agency 

Email: info@bca.gov.gi