GENERAL

Status: Crown Colony, internally self-governing
Location: Gibraltar is a peninsular on the southern tip of Spain.
Area: 4.42km²
Capital: City of Gibraltar
Population: 31,000
Business languages: English (Spanish widely spoken).
Currency: Gibraltar pound (Gib£) and Pound Sterling (GBP£). Gib£1=100 new pence. Spanish Pesetas are also acceptable in most establishments.
Time zone: GMT +1
Business hours: Mon-Fri 9.30am to 1pm, 2.30pm to 6.30pm. Banks open Mon-Fri 9am to 3.30pm, with some banks opening again on Fri from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.
Climate: Mediterranean.
Average temperatures:
Winter: 9ºc
Summer: 25ºc

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

Government of Gibraltar
Finance Centre
Suite 761 Europort
Gibraltar
Tel: + 350 50011
Fax: + 350 51818
email: finance@gibnynex.gi

Government of Gibraltar (UK Office)
Arundel Great Court
179 Strand
London WC2R 1EH
Tel: + 44 (0) 207 836 0777
Fax: + 44 (0) 207 240 6612
email: giblondon@aol.com

Gibraltar Chamber of Commerce
Suite 11, Don House
30-38 Main Street
Gibraltar
Tel: + 350 78376/73677/79551
Fax: + 350 78403
email: gichacom@gibnet.gi

Regulator:
Financial Services Commission
Suite 943
Europort
Gibraltar
Tel: + 350 40283/40284
Fax: + 350 40282
email: fsc@gibnet.gi
Web: www.gibraltar.gi/finance/fsc.html

EXPAT EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

Work permits not required for EU nationals.

COMMUNICATIONS

Due to its strategic location, Gibraltar has excellent communications. It has its own international port and airport. Gibraltar also has full digital communications with the rest of the world.

POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC STABILITY

Gibraltar has a modern history of stability, benefiting from its close ties with the UK which is responsible for Gibraltar's defence and foreign affairs, its independent legislature and powers of self-government, and from its membership of the EU.

KEY ACTIVITIES

Tax exempt companies, qualifying companies and trusts are popular investment vehicles, and major activities include corporate and trustee services, private and corporate banking, shipping and insurance.

ADVANTAGES OF GIBRALTAR

  • Generous exemptions and concessions from local taxes for offshore trusts and companies.
  • Confidentiality of statutory and banking information.
  • Legal system based on English Common and Statute Law.
  • Rapidly expanding economy.
  • No exchange control restrictions.

The content of this factfile is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

This factfile also appears in the 'International Offshore and Financial Centres Handbook 1999/2000'. For further information about this highly informative guide to offshore centres, or to order your copy, please phone +44 (0) 207 820 7733 or send an email to iofch@mondaq.com