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The Benefits of Working in Gibraltar Geography Climate Currency Healthcare Residence & Work Permits Cost of Living Personal Income TaxaMon Levels 2015/16 Where to Live GeQng There Background InformaMon 1.  THE BENEFITS OF WORKING IN GIBRLATAR Working in Gibraltar is an excellent career choice, especially as the economy is sMll doing well and the job market has picked up dramaMcally in 2010. Gibraltar has a tax system that is more aUracMve for many companies and individuals than mainland UK, as a consequence an increasing number of professional organisaMons in certain sectors have moved to Gibraltar. Probably the best example of this being the on-­‐line gaming industry but there are lots of opportuniMes in the financial, IT, Legal and banking sectors for qualified and experienced candidates. Whether you choose to live in Gibraltar itself, or one of the nearby Spanish coastal towns, relocaMon to this area is an excellent choice for those wanMng a fantasMc lifestyle change. Some of the benefits are: • 
Excellent careers for English speaking professionals, with liUle or no compromise on salaries compared to the UK • 
Lower income tax • 
Low cost of renMng and buying accommodaMon in Spain compared to the UK (also many homes have private or shared pools) • 
Approximately 300 days of sunshine per year • 
Glorious beaches stretched across the Costa del Sol and Cadiz • 
Cosmopolitan Marbella and Puerto Banus nearby • 
Weekend skiing in Sierra Nevada • 
Relaxed, sociable and enjoyable way of life • 
Huge variety of restaurants, quality fresh food and wine • 
Easily accessible to the rest of Europe with regular and low cost flights from Malaga and Gibraltar • 
Duty Free Alcohol and Tobacco in Gibraltar 2.  GEOGRAPHY Gibraltar is a large promontory of jurassic limestone, situated in the western entrance to the Mediterranean. The rock is 5km (3 miles) long and the highest point is 426m (1,400g) above sea level. An internal self-­‐governing BriMsh Crown Colony, Gibraltar has given its name to the Bay and the Straits, which it overlooks. Spain is to the north and west, and Morocco is 26km (16 miles) to the south. 3.  CLIMATE Gibraltar has an average of 300 days sunshine a year and the climate is Mediterranean. A warm, dry summer alternaMng with a mild wet winter. The sub-­‐tropical sun of North Africa is tempered by gentle sea breezes in summer and temperatures can rise well above 30°C. In January, dayMme temperatures are usually around 16°C to 18°C and it is quite possible to top up a tan. Rainfall is mostly limited to early or late in the year. Snow and frost is extremely rare in Gibraltar. Annual rainfall averages 899 millimetres, however year to year fluctuaMons are high. A climaMc phenomenon very typical of the Rock is the famous Levanter cloud. This is a dense cloud cover that forms on the top of the Rock when humid easterly winds are deflected upwards along the sheer face of its eastern side. 4.  CURRENCY While Gibraltar produces its own notes and coins, the Monetary Unit of Gibraltar is actually UK Sterling. Sterling Currency Notes issued by the Bank of England are therefore legal tender and in circulaMon in Gibraltar alongside the local note issues. 5.  HEALTHCARE The Gibraltar Health Authority operates a Group PracMce Medical Scheme whereby contributors to the system receive free health benefits. Should you become a contributor, all your medical needs will be met either on The Rock itself, or by outside providers, which are arranged by the scheme. 6.  RESIDENCE & WORK PERMITS Only Gibraltarians and BriMsh ciMzens are allowed to live and work in Gibraltar without a residence permit. NaMonals from other EU member states are issued residence permits upon providing proof that they will not become a burden to the state. Non-­‐EU ciMzens will find it more difficult to obtain a residence permit in Gibraltar as they must first produce a work contract, and that can only be issued if the employer can prove that no Gibraltarian or EU ciMzen is able or willing to do the job. 7.  COST OF LIVING Gibraltar is not a part of the customs union and therefore has duty free shopping and does not charge VAT. CigareUes, alcohol, gas and perfumes are only some items which are bought by Spaniards and other naMonaliMes because of the low price. Despite the tax benefits, the cost of living can be compared the UK. Water and electricity charges are higher than costs elsewhere, and property prices are much higher than those in neighbouring Spain. Despite the close trading links between the UK and Gibraltar, the Rock's proximity to Spain and its economic environment also influences Gibraltar's cost of living. 8.  PERSONAL INCOME TAXATION LEVELS 2015/16 Individuals are charged to tax on their taxable income which is arrived at by deducMng personal and other allowances from the assessable income at the following rates: For every pound of • 
the first £4,000 of taxable income -­‐ 14% • 
the next £4,001 -­‐ £16,000 of taxable income -­‐ 17% • 
the remainder of the taxable income -­‐ 39% Ordinary Personal Tax Allowances • 
Single starts paying at £3,200 • 
Spouse allowance £3,200 • 
One Parent Family 5,264
Source hWps://www.pwc.gi/publica[ons/assets/taxfacts15-­‐16.pdf 9.  WHERE TO LIVE Some people are lucky enough to secure a job in Gibraltar before they commit to relocaMng and many prospecMve employers offer relocaMon packages with free short term accommodaMon. However, if you are making your own arrangements it is advisable to consider your living locaMon carefully. Living in Gibraltar Gibraltar has much in common with its next door neighbour Southern Spain, it also has a fascinaMng history of its own, as well as special climaMc condiMons, its own parMcular geography, and of course a unique culture. The fact that Gibraltar is a self-­‐governing BriMsh Crown Dependency makes it a popular choice. However, living in Gibraltar can be expensive, with an average 2 bedroom flat cosMng between £1,000 and £1,500 per month to rent. Living in Spain For many, the opMon of working in Gibraltar but living in Spain is the preferable on. Yes there is a commute across the border. However, this is offset by lower house prices. Plus, the arrangement allows you to experience the culture, food and language of Spain but work in the vibrant business community of Gibraltar To give you a rough idea of living costs, each of the locaMon overviews below includes an esMmated cost a two bedroom apartment. La Linea La Linea is just over the border from Gibraltar and is a convenient choice for relocaMon due to being within 10-­‐20 minutes walking distance to the central areas of Gibraltar. This commercial/industrial district is packed with local shops and ameniMes, whilst sMll being accessible to the more cosmopolitan and picturesque towns further along the coast. Typically the cost of accommodaMon is lower than in Gibraltar but slightly higher than the regional average due to its brilliant locaMon and no need for Gibraltarian workers to own a car. A typical two bedroom flat would cost €600 to €800 per month. Santa Margarita Santa Margarita is an ideal place to live with a family. Its the largest residenMal development in the region and is quiet and friendly. The properMes are typically Mediterranean in style with spacious gardens and magnificent views of the Strait of Gibraltar, surrounded by carefully maintained green areas. The border is either 10 minutes drive or a vigorous 20 minutes walk away and there is a frequent bus service. Rent is around €600 to €800 per month but would secure a house rather than an apartment. Sotogrande Sotogrande is a very exclusive and beauMful area favoured by top execuMves and the rich and famous. Because of this, the rents are also high in this area and a two bedroom apartment can range from €900 to €2,000 per month, including shared pool. However, you have stunning sports faciliMes, golf courses, polo fields and a famous marina on your doorstep so it's a popular choice if your salary allows it. Sotogrande is just a 20 minute commute from Gibraltar. Manilva Manilva is 30 minutes drive to the East of Gibraltar and is a surprisingly under-­‐developed and picturesque part of the Costa del Sol. You can choose from living in the preUy white village of Manilva, the fishing port of Sabinillas or the lively marina of Duquesa with lots of places to eat, drink and enjoy. As this is a tradiMonal Spanish area, you will only pay €400 to €600 per month to rent a two bedroom apartment and this will usually include a shared swimming pool, so it can make your salary stretch a lot further. Estepona Estepona is a preUy seaside town with fantasMc wide beaches and a Spanish small town character. There are lots of ameniMes, bars, cafes and restaurants serving good Spanish food at reasonable prices as well as smart beach bars and big supermarkets selling internaMonal brands. Estepona is a great choice for those with children as it is a very family friendly place. This is a 40 minute commute from Gibraltar and rents for a 2 bedroom apartment range from €450 to €800 per month and will usually include a shared pool. Please note when planning your commute into Gibraltar every day, remember to account for the Queues at the border. In rush hour, geQng over the border to your place of work will usually add on 20-­‐40 minutes to your commute, but this can be reduced by parking in La Linea and either taking the bus, walking, riding a moped or bicycle. Some companies offer flexible working hours which many people take advantage of to avoid the rush hour traffic. You can park in La Linea easily for €1 per day, and there is a range of parking in Gibraltar. There are lots of other opMons for accommodaMon including Private Villas, Houses, Townhouses and duplex apartments. Also, on the other end of the scale many people choose to share with friends or new colleagues, or rent a room which can be an ideal cost saving opMon in the first 6 months of relocaMon. Flat Shares are adverMsed in local Gibraltar and Spanish newspapers, websites, and on many company intranet sites. There are also budget hotels / B&B´s in La Linea which can offer temporary accommodaMon from approximately £25 per night. 10.  GETTING THERE Flying Gibraltar is easily accessible by air through both Gibraltar Airport and Malaga Airport which is approximately 1.5 hours away. BriMsh Airways and Easyjet operate daily flights into Gibraltar from London Gatwick while Monarch fly from both London Luton and Manchester. Malaga is one of Spain’s busiest airports and is serviced by a range of airlines including Ryanair. Driving Travelling by car is a realisMc opMon with ferries to Santander and Bilbao, the stunning drive down through Spain takes approximately 12 hours. If you choose to bring your car over, it is the law to register the car with Spanish number plates within 6 months. If you are buying a car in Spain then you will first need to provide one of the following: • 
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An official residency card (Tarjeta de Residencia) Proof that you are a Spanish home owner (by showing Mtle deeds) A rental contract for a duraMon of minimum one year or An NIE/NIF number (Foreigner's IdenMficaMon Number) in Spain 11.  BACKGROUND INFORMATION Gibraltar derives from Gibel Tariq -­‐ Tariq's Mountain -­‐ which is named ager Tariq Ibn Zeyad who led the eighth-­‐century conquest of Spain by a combined force of Arabs and Berbers crossing from Africa. Gibraltar's unusual status was not acquired unMl almost 1000 years later, long ager the Islamic invaders had been driven out by the Spanish, as a consequence of the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht which brought to an end the War of the Spanish Succession and gave the territory to Britain. The BriMsh interpretaMon of the treaty moreover holds that the territory was ceded to them indefinitely. The presence of a foreign-­‐owned mini-­‐state on the Spanish mainland has been an irritant to Anglo-­‐Spanish relaMons ever since. The current Spanish posiMon was first outlined by Felipe González, Spain's Socialist Premier during the 1980s, when he suggested joint Anglo-­‐Spanish sovereignty. Successive Spanish Governments, including the present Zapatero administraMon, have since refined the proposals, allowing for possible EU or NATO involvement. The BriMsh have no major objecMon, in principle, to the Spanish recovering full sovereignty over the territory -­‐ provided they are guaranteed conMnued access to its military base faciliMes. The problem is that the Gibraltarians are having none of it. In response to the latest round of talks between London and Madrid which began in 2001 and explored in detail possible joint sovereignty models, the Gibraltar Government led by Peter Caruana organized a referendum in November 2002 to assess the popular mood. As expected, it returned a huge majority in favor of the status quo. Known as the 'Rock', Gibraltar contains 143 caves, over 48km (30 miles) of road and miles of tunnels. From rock touring, to sailing, diving, fishing and bird watching, visitors will be pleasantly surprised with the diverse range of aUracMons on offer in Gibraltar. Located at the southernmost Mp of the Iberian Peninsula, where Europe meets Africa, visitors are also assured of breathtaking scenery, wildlife and architecture, that captures the unique flavor of this Mediterranean city. As a VAT-­‐free jurisdicMon, Gibraltar's popularity with visitors is further enhanced by its value added shopping experience in famed Main Street.