Table of Contents
- Gibraltar: A British Haven
- Local Concerns Over New Agreements
- Historical Background of Gibraltar
- Economic Appeal of Gibraltar
- Post-Brexit Deal Worries
- Safety and Community Life
- Spanish Perspectives on Integration
- Government's Position on Sovereignty
Gibraltar is often regarded as being more British than the UK itself, boasting low taxes, affordable drinks, and virtually nonexistent crime and illegal immigration.
It's no surprise that countless frustrated Brits have been migrating to this Mediterranean hotspot, where pints can be found for under £3 and pubs are flourishing. However, with uncertainty looming over the post-Brexit deal, many locals fear their way of life is "under threat."
Numerous Brits are relocating to this Mediterranean hotspotCredit: Getty
Gibraltar is adorned with classic red telephone boxes and is often referred to as a ‘mini Britain’Credit: Ian Whittaker
Sun reporter Graeme Culliford enjoys fish and chips and a pint at the Angry Friar PubCredit: Ian Whittaker
A pint of Tribute ale is priced at £3.90 and a Sunday roast costs £12.95 at the Quarterdeck TavernCredit: Ian Whittaker
This month, the Prime Minister finalized nearly four years of negotiations concerning entry into British territory.
British tourists entering ‘The Rock’ will now need to present their passports twice: once to a Gibraltarian official and again to a Spanish guard, as part of a "dual" entry system that has been criticized as a “ridiculous disaster” by former Tory leader.
Concerned locals have expressed their frustrations, fearing that criminals might exploit this new system, potentially reversing the current low crime rates, especially since Gibraltar experiences only a few illegal immigration incidents each year.
Tony ‘Del’ Farmer manages the Quarterdeck Tavern, where Union Jack and St George flags adorn every wall; a pint of Tribute ale is £3.90, while a Sunday roast is priced at £12.95.
He stated: “I appreciate the border as it keeps troublemakers out. You look over at and see the issues they face and wonder why we would want to bring that here.”
Spain ceded Gibraltar “in perpetuity” to Great Britain under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, and it was established as a British crown colony in 1830.
The territory became a crucial strategic base for the British, providing access to the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea. It also hosts warships and submarines and has evolved into a global hub for online gaming and cryptocurrency.
Low tax rates – with no VAT or capital gains tax and a corporation tax of 15 percent – have made it an attractive destination for bargain hunters, with only 13 people unemployed in the last quarter and a threefold increase in the number of Brits seeking to relocate to the overseas territory since June.
A bottle of rosé sells for just £7.95 during happy hour at O’Reilly’s Irish pub in the upscale Ocean Village, while beer costs £2.95 a pint and a mojito cocktail is only £2.
When the Sun visited, the bustling streets echoed with the noise of heavy machinery as a series of luxury apartment buildings with rooftop pools were being constructed to accommodate the influx of newcomers.
However, following 3,000 new residency inquiries submitted in just three months – a significant rise from the usual 1,000 received in the same time frame – Chief Minister Fabian Picardo announced a suspension of new applications from the UK and the European Economic Area (EEA).
Pub owner Tony pointed out that the issue is not limited to just the wealthy superyacht crowd moving to the densely populated town, whose skyline is dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, a 426m-high limestone ridge.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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