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Chief Minister provides reassurance to business community following residency pause - 758/2025
October 15, 2025
The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP, today made a Ministerial Statement in Parliament to provide reassurance following the Government’s decision on 6th October 2025 to introduce a temporary administrative pause on new long-term residency registrations for EEA and UK nationals.
This follows the publication in the Gazette of Legal Notice No. 246 of 2025 – the Immigration (EU Exit) Regulations 2025.
The Chief Minister explained that the measure is a responsible step taken in Gibraltar’s best interests to manage unprecedented demand for residency in recent years, while ensuring that Gibraltar remains open, welcoming, and economically competitive.
Over the past three years, Gibraltar has seen an exceptional rise in new arrivals, with more than 3,000 people migrating to Gibraltar between 2022 and 2024.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the temporary pause does NOT amount to a closure of Gibraltar’s doors, but rather a practical measure to ensure that residency systems remain fair, robust and sustainable as Gibraltar prepares for the new treaty environment. The measure is designed to stop any abuse of the system.
Applications submitted before 6 October 2025 will continue to be processed as normal. The Chief Minister retains statutory powers to authorise new residence documents in limited circumstances, including where necessary to meet an international obligation, prevent extreme hardship, or serve Gibraltar’s economic interests.
The Chief Minister reassured the public and the business community that the measure does NOT restrict legitimate business growth, relocation, or recruitment of specialist expertise.
The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo KC MP, said: “Nothing in these Regulations prevents legitimate business growth, relocation, or the recruitment of necessary expertise. Existing and new businesses, financial services firms, gaming operators, maritime companies, and other sectors that rely on specialist talent will be able to continue to operate without disruption. Gibraltar is open for business, and it will stay that way.”