Last month, the GFSB kicked off its brand-new Self-Employed Group—and despite the stormy weather, the turnout made it clear this group is something Gibraltar’s business community really needs. From tutors and tradespeople to therapists and tech freelancers, self-employed members came together for the first time to share what it’s really like running a business on your own.

Why this matters

Gibraltar has over 1,000 self-employed individuals, yet until now, there hasn’t been a dedicated space to talk about their unique challenges. This new group is a step toward offering support, opportunities to meet other freelancers, and a direct line into the GFSB’s advocacy work.

What we heard

There was a lot of honest, open discussion—and a few recurring themes:

• Too much red tape: Whether it’s Companies House or the OFT, attendees said dealing with some departments is a major stress point. Processes feel unclear, inconsistent, and harder than they need to be.
• Social insurance headaches: People talked about the one-size-fits-all approach and how it doesn’t work when your income fluctuates.
• Mental load: The independence of self-employment is great—but the stress, uncertainty and isolation? Not so much.
• Need for community: More than one person said just being in a room with others who “get it” was valuable in itself.

Other takeaways

• Start-up confidence: Some attendees weren’t yet self-employed—but said hearing others’ experiences gave them confidence to take the plunge.
• Entrepreneurship as a path: There was strong interest in promoting business ownership as a real career option for young people, especially those not going the university route.
• Cross-border challenges: One business flagged issues trying to register a Spanish resident as self-employed in Gibraltar due to address rules—highlighting a real cross-border blocker.

So what’s next?

This first meeting was just the start. The GFSB plans to host regular get-togethers, provide resources, and push for smarter policy that reflects the reality of self-employment in Gibraltar.

As one attendee put it, “This makes me feel like we finally have a seat at the table.”

Want to be part of it?

We’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re self-employed, thinking about it, or have something to add—drop us a line at admin@gfsb.gi or hop onto the GFSB Glue Up platform and join the conversation. Keep an eye out for details of the next meeting.

The second meeting of the Self Employed Group takes place on Thursday 8th May. Sign Up Now.