GibraltarCompany formation, tax and banking
Gaming, crypto and insurance licences right next to the EU.
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory next to the EU that licenses online gaming, crypto/blockchain (DLT) firms and insurance — with English law, the English language, and a regulator (GFSC) that created the first rules for blockchain businesses in 2018.
After Brexit, Gibraltar kept access to the UK market under the UK Gibraltar Authorisation Regime, which makes it especially useful for firms serving both UK and international customers.
Why people choose Gibraltar
- UK market access under the UK Gibraltar Authorisation Regime
- A DLT licence from the GFSC, which wrote the first blockchain rules in 2018
- 12.5% company tax on income earned in Gibraltar
- No VAT, capital gains tax, wealth tax or inheritance tax
- English law and the English language
Where Gibraltar fits
- iGaming
- DLT licences
- Insurance
Where Gibraltar fits in a structure
Typical role · Licensed firm serving the UK
The Gibraltar company holds the gaming, DLT or insurance licence and serves UK and international customers from a real base in Gibraltar. It pays 12.5% on income earned in Gibraltar; income from elsewhere generally isn't taxed, subject to rules on royalties and passive interest. It relies on full real presence, and usually on EU or UK banks, since local banking is limited.
What it depends onRegulated firms need a full real presence in Gibraltar, with an office, staff and a board, and Gibraltar has no EU access, only UK market access.
A simplified picture to explain the idea, not a recommendation. General information, not tax or legal advice.
Opening a bank account
Banking in Gibraltar is limited (Gibraltar International Bank, Turicum, a few specialists). Most licensed firms bank through EU or UK banks.
How tax works here
12.5% company tax on income earned in Gibraltar. Income earned outside Gibraltar generally isn't taxed. No VAT, no capital gains tax, no wealth tax, no inheritance tax.
Real presence, and who can see the owners
Regulated firms need full real presence in Gibraltar — an office, staff and a board. The GFSC is small enough to know its licence holders personally; genuine operations are expected.
When to choose it
Choose Gibraltar for online gaming operators wanting access to the UK after Brexit, for regulated crypto business under one of the earliest frameworks, or for captive insurance and reinsurance.
You get a written comparison, not a sales pitch.
Every Gibraltar recommendation comes as a written comparison with the alternatives — whether the setup will stand up to scrutiny, how easy banking will be, which tax treaties apply, who can see the owners, what it costs to run each year and the risk to your reputation — so you can see the trade-offs before you commit.
Considering Gibraltar? Get a written comparison first.
Answer six questions and our team will come back with a shortlist, rough costs and where you could bank.
Questions we hear on every Gibraltar intake.
- Does Gibraltar still have EU access?
- No. Gibraltar left the EU with the UK. It keeps UK market access under the UK Gibraltar Authorisation Regime, and separate arrangements with Spain for local movement.
- What is a DLT licence?
- Gibraltar's DLT (distributed ledger, i.e. blockchain) licence covers firms using blockchain to store or move value belonging to others — exchanges, custodians and some token issuers.
- How is Gibraltar company tax calculated?
- 12.5% applies to income earned in Gibraltar. Passive income and income from elsewhere generally aren't taxed, subject to specific rules on royalties and passive interest.
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Every engagement begins with a twenty-minute advisory call. The fee is in writing before any work begins. No hourly billing.