So you want to work here ?

Bet you didn't read the FAQ ... this is what you missed:


8.   EMPLOYMENT



8.1  Can I get a job in Gibraltar



a.   Citizens of EU countries can seek employment and reside in

     Gibraltar.  Civilians living locally must hold an Identity

     card issued by the immigration department. 



     Non-Gibraltarians must hold a residence permit.  This is 

     normally issued for a period of five years on application.



     Non EU citizens are only likely to be permitted to live and 

     work  in Gibraltar if they already have a job offer and their 

     employer satisfies Government that their skills are unique.



     There are strict laws and procedures to control employment 

     and little scope for evasion.



12.  ACCOMODATION



12.1 Can I find somewhere to live in Gibraltar ?



12.2 Traditionally finding somewhere to live has been the number one

     problem in Gibraltar.  During WW2 the population was evacuated

     and there was a delay in repatriation due to lack of suitable

     accomodation, much having been taken over by the military.



     Several housing estates were built, however this remained the

     largest local political issue, until the reclamation project

     when the new private estates built and the Government estate

     coupled with the release of MoD property no longer used, has

     largely solved the problem for local residents.



12.3 Renting housing remains a problem as the private sector is 

     expensive and there is more demand than supply.

 

12.4 What about Spain ?



12.5 Many non-gibraltarians working in Gibraltar live in Spain which

     has the advantage of size and space.  



     The problems are the frontier, where the delay to cross by car

     can be considerable, although many park their cars in La Linea

     and cross on foot.



     Living in Spain is easier for EU nationals now that Spain is

     a full member, but the issues are beyond the scope of this FAQ.

There are a number of large internet gaming companies based in Gibraltar who have an ongoing requirment for IT staff, and call centre operators, particularly those with foreign language skills.

Many of the jobs traditionally occupied by British nationals, like.ship repair, the construction trade, hotel, shop and bar sectors are now staffed by Spanish frontier workers.

Local computer companies do not employ expensive IT staff. Local companies generally prefer to employ Gibraltarians and there is no shortage of keen graduates.

Going to work abroad is not something to be undertaken lightly, the grass often seems greener in the travel pictures than reality. There are particular challenges to working in a small place like Gibraltar. There is no unemployment benefit, and medical services are more limited than available in a large country.