HM Government of Gibraltar has strongly rejected claims that the Gibraltarian Status and Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2025 will unfairly restrict access to residency or Gibraltarian status. The Government says the reforms are “responsible, considered and align with current times,” adding that they are essential to protect the integrity of Gibraltar’s systems and ensure fairness for those who live and contribute to the community.

What the Government says:
The statement argues that criticism of the Bill is “misleading,” describing the reforms as a necessary response to long-standing weaknesses in Gibraltar’s registration and residency frameworks. According to the Government, the Bill “refines the criteria for residency and associated benefits” and addresses “systemic abuses” that have emerged over time.

Officials say that individuals “who have not lived in Gibraltar for many years have continued to claim benefits and entitlements meant for those who live and contribute to our community,” while others “have taken advantage to unfairly access public resources.” The Government says it has “a duty to act decisively.”

The reforms aim to ensure that “only persons who share a deep and significant relationship with the Rock should be registered.” Until now, it says, some people could obtain Gibraltarian status because “a person had an unregistered grandmother who happened to be born in Gibraltar in 1924,” giving them automatic red ID cards despite having no real link to the community.

Why the Bill is needed:
The Government insists that the new criteria are not about exclusion but clarity. “No child who is genuinely entitled to Gibraltarian Status will lose that entitlement,” the statement says. “The process ensures that all eligible children are properly recorded, enabling them to access their rights with greater certainty.”

It also rejects claims that the changes will create a “lost generation,” arguing instead that they will bring “clarity and certainty, not exclusion.” The new definition of “child” as someone under 18 and the doubling of qualifying residence periods are described as straightforward administrative measures that “strengthen the link between status and genuine residence.”

The Government further notes that these reforms are consistent with a wider international trend. “Far more significant changes are happening elsewhere, all with the same mission — to protect their own systems from abuse and circumvention,” it said, pointing to tightening immigration rules in the UK and across Europe.

In the Chief Minister’s words:
Chief Minister Fabian Picardo said:

“The Gibraltarian Status Bill represents a responsible and necessary step forward in modernising our laws to reflect today’s realities. Our duty as a Government is to ensure that Gibraltarian status remains meaningful and fair, that it reflects a true and continuing bond with Gibraltar. These reforms strike the right balance between protecting the rights of those who belong. I understand that change can be unsettling, but this legislation is guided by a simple principle: to preserve the integrity of what it means to be Gibraltarian, for this generation and the next.”

The takeaway:
The Government maintains that the Bill is about fairness, accountability and preserving Gibraltar’s identity, not restriction. It says the reforms will prevent misuse of public resources and protect the long-term sustainability of Gibraltar’s systems. The message is clear: being a registered Gibraltarian should reflect a genuine connection to the Rock, not a technical entitlement disconnected from its community or responsibilities.

We want your views:
The GFSB welcomes feedback from members on how these changes could affect business, recruitment and relocation. Please email gfsb@gfsb.gi or join the discussion on the community pages on GlueUp.