Gibraltar – Doctors

How does the healthcare system in Gibraltar work, and does it cover expats?

The Gibraltar Health Authority (GHA) is the government body responsible for running the territory’s medical facilities and services, and its approach is heavily influenced by the NHS model used in the United Kingdom. Rather than being a purely tax-funded universal service, however, Gibraltar’s public healthcare is structured around a contributory framework. This arrangement, known as the Group Practice Medical Scheme (GPMS), functions in a manner broadly comparable to the UK’s NHS.

When settling in Gibraltar, residents essentially have two paths when it comes to healthcare: enrolling in the public system through the GHA, or taking out private medical insurance. GHA membership provides low-cost or entirely free access to general practitioners, hospital services, and emergency treatment. Eligibility for this benefit, however, hinges on your legal status, whether you are employed locally, and whether you are making the required social security payments.

Three major public facilities fall under the GHA’s remit, collectively delivering primary, secondary, and mental health services. St Bernard’s Hospital is Gibraltar’s sole public hospital, housing 210 beds across a range of departments that include orthopaedics, maternity, surgery, medicine, and paediatrics. Because it is not always economically practical to retain specialist physicians on a permanent basis in such a compact territory, many consultants are brought in from the UK on rotating schedules.

Gibraltar maintains a high-quality public healthcare system along NHS lines, offering free or heavily subsidised care to those who qualify. Around 12% of GDP is directed toward health spending, and the GHA operates with an annual budget of approximately £100 million to serve the territory’s population of roughly 30,000.

Expat entitlement to public healthcare is not consistent across all nationalities. As a British Overseas Territory, Gibraltar extends free medical care to British nationals upon presentation of a valid UK passport. Those in paid employment in Gibraltar are required to contribute to social security, and this automatically qualifies them for access to public healthcare. Expats from countries other than the UK are strongly advised to confirm their eligibility with the GHA. The definitive source for current rules is the GHA registration page.

How do you find and register with a doctor in Gibraltar?

For residents requiring medical attention, the first port of call is the Primary Care Centre, which is located within St Bernard’s Hospital. This facility handles GP consultations, diagnostic services, and referrals to specialists. Approximately 20 GPs are based at the centre, and unlike countries where patients can choose between numerous independent GP surgeries, Gibraltar consolidates all public primary care within this one central location.

Appointments can be arranged online, by telephone, or by attending the centre directly. The Primary Care Centre also handles repeat prescriptions, sick notes, and general health enquiries. Outside of standard working hours, the GHA operates a 111 telephone service staffed by Clinical Advisors who can evaluate your needs and offer appropriate guidance.

To enrol in the GPMS, you must submit a set of documents to the GHA. The required paperwork to obtain your Medical (Group Practice) Scheme card includes: a fully completed application form; an ETB contract where applicable; a PAYE Allowance and Social Insurance Contributions Class Certificate; one passport-sized photograph taken against a white background; a current identity document such as a civilian Registration Card, ID card, or passport; proof of your residential address; and documentary evidence of any name or address changes.

Registration requires you to establish your identity and demonstrate that your social security contributions are current. This is typically done by supplying the GHA with your tax number or by obtaining a letter from the Contributions Unit confirming that payments are in order. Registration is carried out in person at the GHA Registration office, which is located at Zone 1, Level 2, St Bernard’s Hospital, Harbour Views Road. For the latest registration information, visit the GHA registration page.

The steps below outline the registration process for expats in employment:

1. Confirm your employment status and arrange for social security contributions to be made through your Gibraltar-based employer.
2. Obtain a letter from the Contributions Unit (Income Tax Department) verifying that your social insurance payments are up to date, or supply your tax number to the GHA directly.
3. Assemble the required documents: a completed application form, proof of identity (passport or residency card), proof of address, a passport photograph, and your PAYE or social contributions certificate.
4. Attend the GHA Registration office at St Bernard’s Hospital in person to hand in your application and supporting paperwork.
5. Collect your Group Practice Medical Scheme (GPMS) card, which grants you and your dependants access to the public primary care system.
6. Use your new GPMS card to schedule your first GP appointment at the Primary Care Centre, either online, by phone, or in person.

How do you pay for a doctor’s appointment in Gibraltar?

Once enrolled in the GPMS, eligible individuals and their dependants can access healthcare without charge at the point of use. This means that registered contributors can attend routine GP consultations at the Primary Care Centre without paying a consultation fee — an experience closely resembling a standard NHS GP visit, where no direct charge applies for the appointment itself.

The right to access this service is linked to your standing in Gibraltar, your employment circumstances, and whether you are actively contributing to the social security system. Employed expats who are contributing are treated on the same basis as local residents for the purposes of primary care. Those who fall outside this category — for instance, individuals living in Gibraltar on a self-sufficient basis without qualifying employment — may find themselves subject to different arrangements.

EU nationals who are not in employment and who reside in Gibraltar under a permit of residence — and who hold private medical insurance or a recognised immediate medical cover document — may be asked to pay the “Voluntary Contribution” toward the GPMS instead.

Although the vast majority of services within the public healthcare system are provided free of charge, certain treatments do attract fees. Dental care is one prominent example: the GHA only provides dental treatment to children, while adults can only access emergency dental treatment through public facilities. For a comprehensive and current breakdown of any costs or co-payment thresholds, consult the GHA website, as these figures are subject to revision.

Do you need private health insurance to see a doctor in Gibraltar?

Private health insurance is not a legal prerequisite for seeing a doctor in Gibraltar, but it is commonly taken out and is a sensible choice for many expats — particularly those who do not meet the criteria for public care, or who prefer not to wait for specialist appointments. Many expats opt for private cover because it offers immediate access to treatment with fewer administrative hurdles and shorter delays.

Non-British residents who do not qualify for GHA services will find private health insurance readily available in Gibraltar. A number of employers include health cover as part of their remuneration packages, so if you are relocating for work it is worth establishing what your employer offers before you go to the expense of arranging independent cover.

Although Gibraltar’s healthcare infrastructure is well developed, complex or highly specialised cases are frequently referred to medical facilities in Spain or the UK. Expats who wish to avoid extended waiting periods or gain access to cutting-edge medical technology can sidestep these limitations by holding private medical insurance.

Local policies in Gibraltar typically come with lower premiums and allow policyholders to use high-quality local facilities, though the scope of coverage is generally confined to Gibraltar itself. International private medical insurance (IPMI) offers a wider safety net, enabling you to pursue treatment across multiple countries within your designated coverage region.

GibMed International Hospital, which opened its doors in November 2023, is Gibraltar’s first private hospital. With around 30 doctors on its roster and modern, state-of-the-art equipment, it represents a significant expansion of private healthcare provision in the territory and serves as a useful complement to the public system.

Gibraltar’s various residency categories do not all mandate private health insurance, but applicants seeking to reside on a self-sufficient basis — without local employment — are typically required to show that they will not place a burden on public resources. For accurate and up-to-date requirements relating to health insurance and residency, refer to the Gibraltar Immigration Department.

Private medical insurance is designed to meet the costs of private treatment for short-term, treatable conditions or injuries. Its primary appeal is the assurance of prompt access to care when it is needed. In Gibraltar, private patients can generally choose the timing of their treatment and their preferred specialist. Before purchasing a policy, it is worth consulting the consumer guide to health insurance published by the Gibraltar Financial Services Commission (GFSC).

How do you transfer your medical records to a doctor in Gibraltar?

The practicalities of transferring medical records to Gibraltar depend largely on the policies and systems of your country of origin when it comes to releasing patient information. There is currently no unified digital health record-sharing platform connecting Gibraltar with other countries, so in most cases the process involves requesting a printed or electronic summary from your former healthcare provider and bringing it to your new GP at the Primary Care Centre.

If you were previously registered with a GP elsewhere, contact that practice ahead of your move to request a comprehensive patient summary or referral letter. This document should cover your medical history, existing diagnoses, current medication, and any outstanding specialist referrals. In many countries — including EU member states — patients have the right under data protection legislation to obtain copies of their own records; your previous provider will be able to explain the specific steps involved.

Gibraltar’s medical profession operates under clinical governance standards that align with those of the UK. The Gibraltar Medical Registration Board has formally adopted the General Medical Council’s code, Good Medical Practice (March 2024), as its own standard for licensed practitioners. This means that GPs in Gibraltar are well versed in reviewing clinical summaries and referral letters drafted to UK or internationally recognised formats.

If your records are in a language other than English, a certified translation may be necessary, especially where the documentation covers complex medical histories or specialist diagnoses. Discuss the preferred format with your new GP at the Primary Care Centre. The GHA also operates a Release of Records service; you can reach the GHA directly via gha.gi/contact for guidance on how this process works.

Among the services offered by the Gibraltar Health Authority are primary care, mental health support, public health programmes, patient advocacy and liaison, sponsored patient arrangements, and records release. The patient advocacy and liaison service is a particularly useful first contact point if you are unsure how to go about transferring your records upon arrival.

What should expats know about language barriers and finding a doctor in Gibraltar?

Language is seldom a meaningful obstacle to accessing healthcare in Gibraltar. The overwhelming majority of healthcare workers are comfortable communicating in both English and Spanish, making medical services highly accessible to a broad range of patients. This bilingual competence is a natural reflection of Gibraltar’s position as a British Overseas Territory sharing its border with Spain, where daily life routinely involves both languages.

A significant proportion of Gibraltar’s doctors and nurses received their training overseas, often in the UK, and hospital facilities are equipped with contemporary technology. As a result, consultations conducted in English are the norm in both public and private settings, and expats need not specifically seek out English-speaking practitioners in the way that might be necessary in some other European destinations.

For those whose primary language is neither English nor Spanish, interpretation assistance may be available through the GHA. Contact the patient advocacy and liaison service at gha.gi/contact ahead of your appointment to discuss your requirements. Private facilities, including GibMed International Hospital, also serve an international clientele and can often accommodate patients in other languages upon request.

The Gibraltar Medical Registration Board (GMRB) maintains an official register of all doctors licensed to practise in Gibraltar. As the statutory regulator for doctors, dentists, pharmacists, and Allied Health Professionals in the territory, the GMRB is a valuable resource both for verifying a practitioner’s credentials and for identifying private sector specialists.

What do expats need to know about prescriptions and medication in Gibraltar?

GPMS members who receive a prescription from a GHA doctor pay a subsidised rate for their medication. The charge is £5 per item, with a maximum cap of £15 per prescription (as of 2025). This ceiling means that even patients with several items on a single prescription will pay no more than £15 per pharmacy visit. Always check the most current figures with the GHA directly, as these charges can be subject to change.

Prescriptions issued by doctors in other countries are not automatically honoured at pharmacies in Gibraltar. If you arrive with medication that was prescribed abroad, your GP at the Primary Care Centre will need to assess your treatment and issue a local prescription before you can obtain the medication through the GPMS. Carry all existing medicines in their original packaging and bring your patient summary so your new doctor has a complete understanding of your current treatment plan.

Standard pharmacy opening hours in Gibraltar run from 9am to 6pm or 7pm on weekdays, and from 9am to approximately 1pm on Saturdays. A duty pharmacy is always available outside these hours, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays. On weekday evenings, duty pharmacies are open from 7pm to 9pm, while on weekends and public holidays they operate from 11am to 1pm and again from 6pm to 8pm. Gibraltar’s pharmacies operate on a rotating duty system, and each pharmacy is required to display a notice in its window identifying the current on-duty outlet.

Private patients pay the full cost of prescription medicines unless their insurance policy covers this expense. It is important to note that not all conditions or treatments will be reimbursed under a private insurance plan — standard exclusions frequently include pre-existing conditions, routine screening, and chronic illnesses. Scrutinise your policy thoroughly before counting on private insurance to fund ongoing medication. For regulatory information on pharmacy standards in Gibraltar, the GMRB’s guidance for pharmacists is a useful reference.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do in a medical emergency in Gibraltar?

Dial 112 to contact the emergency services in Gibraltar, including medical, fire, and police assistance. This number works from any telephone — mobile or landline, with or without a SIM card — and the call is free of charge. If your situation requires urgent medical advice but does not constitute an emergency, call GHA 111 to speak with a Clinical Advisor who will assess your circumstances and direct you appropriately.

Will pre-existing conditions be covered under the public system?

Provided you qualify for the GPMS through active employment and social security contributions, you are broadly entitled to treatment for all medical conditions via the public system, including those that existed prior to your registration. Unlike many private insurance products, the GPMS does not impose a waiting period for pre-existing conditions. By contrast, private insurance policies frequently contain exclusions for pre-existing, chronic, and congenital conditions, so it is essential to read the terms of any private policy thoroughly before committing.

How long does it take to register with the GHA?

The GHA does not publish a fixed processing timeline for registrations. In practice, the process can be completed reasonably quickly once all the necessary documents are assembled, including evidence of social security contributions, identity documents, proof of address, and a passport photograph. Having everything in order before you attend the registration office will minimise delays. Visit gha.gi/registration for the latest guidance and to check whether any online pre-registration options are available.

What happens to my healthcare access if I lose my job or change employment status?

Your entitlement to free care under the GPMS is directly linked to your employment and your record of social security contributions. Should your employment end or your status change — for example, if you move into self-employment or adopt a self-sufficient lifestyle — your eligibility may be affected. You should inform the GHA of any change in status and ask whether voluntary contributions or alternative arrangements are needed to maintain your cover. The GHA can advise you on your specific situation.

Can I be referred to a hospital in Spain or the UK?

Where treatment needs exceed what can be provided locally, patients may be referred to hospitals in the UK or in nearby Spain. It is worth noting that reciprocal healthcare agreements with Spain came to an end in 2022, meaning that referrals across the border may now carry additional costs. For certain specialist procedures — such as paediatric neurological care or plastic surgery — the relevant consultant is typically brought in from the UK, as St Bernard’s Hospital maintains a visiting specialist consultation service for this purpose.

Does the GHA cover dental treatment?

Public dental treatment through the GHA is restricted to children; adults are only eligible for emergency dental care through the public system. Routine and elective dental treatment for adults falls outside GPMS coverage, meaning you will need to register with a private dental practice. Private dental surgeries operate independently and set their own fees; contact individual practices for current price information.

Can I use a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in Gibraltar?

EU nationals may be able to use their EHIC for temporary medical needs in Gibraltar, but this card is not a substitute for long-term local coverage. Neither the EHIC nor the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) covers medical repatriation, treatment for ongoing conditions, or non-urgent healthcare. Anyone planning to live in Gibraltar on a long-term basis should not treat the EHIC as a replacement for proper GHA registration or adequate private insurance.

Is healthcare in Gibraltar accessible for retirees who are not working?

Retirees can access the GPMS either as British nationals receiving a pension, or as expats of other nationalities who have made national insurance contributions into the Gibraltarian scheme. EU nationals of pensionable age who take up residence in Gibraltar may be entitled to state healthcare without direct contributions, where this entitlement arises from reciprocal health arrangements between Gibraltar and the United Kingdom. Retirees from other countries should contact the GHA directly to establish what applies to their individual circumstances.