Crossing the Gibraltar-Spain Border Daily

Thousands of people cross the Gibraltar-Spain border every day for work. Whether you're a frontier worker living in Spain or just visiting, understanding how the border works will save you time and stress.

## Border Basics

The border crossing is located at the northern end of Gibraltar, connecting to the Spanish town of La Línea de la Concepción. The crossing includes:

- Pedestrian lanes

- Vehicle lanes

- The airport runway (yes, you cross it!)

The border is open 24 hours, but staffing levels vary.

## Who Can Cross?

**EU/EEA Citizens:** Cross freely with passport or national ID card

**UK Citizens:** Cross with passport (ID cards no longer accepted post-Brexit)

**Other Nationalities:** May need visa depending on your country; check requirements

## Peak Times to Avoid

**Busiest periods:**

- Morning rush: 7:00 - 9:30 AM (workers entering Gibraltar)

- Evening rush: 5:00 - 7:00 PM (workers leaving Gibraltar)

- Monday mornings: Especially busy

- Friday evenings: Long queues to leave

**Quieter times:**

- Mid-morning (10:00 - 11:30)

- Early afternoon (2:00 - 4:00)

- Late evening

## Wait Times

Typical wait times:

- **Off-peak pedestrian:** 5-15 minutes

- **Peak pedestrian:** 15-45 minutes

- **Off-peak vehicle:** 10-20 minutes

- **Peak vehicle:** 30-90+ minutes

Note: Wait times can spike unpredictably due to increased checks or incidents.

## Documents to Carry

Always have with you:

- Valid passport (required for non-EU, recommended for all)

- Gibraltar ID card (if you're a resident)

- Frontier worker card (if applicable)

- Vehicle documents if driving (insurance, registration)

## Tips for Faster Crossing

1. **Walk if possible** — Pedestrian queues are almost always shorter than vehicle queues

2. **Cross early or late** — Avoid 7-9 AM and 5-7 PM

3. **Use the electronic gates** — Available for EU citizens with biometric passports

4. **Have documents ready** — Don't fumble at the checkpoint

5. **Check border status** — Local Facebook groups share real-time updates

6. **Consider a bicycle or scooter** — Often faster than walking or driving

## Driving Across

If you drive:

- Expect longer waits, especially at peak times

- You'll cross the airport runway — stop when the red lights flash

- Gibraltar drives on the right (same as Spain)

- Parking in Gibraltar is limited and expensive

## Living in Spain, Working in Gibraltar

Many people choose this option because:

- Much lower rent in La Línea and surrounding areas

- Lower cost of living generally

- Access to Spanish lifestyle, restaurants, beaches

**Challenges:**

- Daily border crossing adds 20-60+ minutes to commute

- Border delays can be unpredictable

- Need to manage two tax systems

## Frontier Worker Status

If you live in Spain but work in Gibraltar:

- Register as a frontier worker with Spanish authorities

- You may be entitled to Spanish healthcare

- Understand tax obligations in both jurisdictions

- Keep records of your crossings

## Real-Time Border Information

Check conditions before crossing:

- Gibraltar Border Facebook groups

- Local radio stations

- Ask colleagues who cross regularly

## Emergency Contact

If you have problems at the border:

- Gibraltar Police: 199 or +350 200 72500

- Spanish Police (La Línea): 092