Gibraltar market entry

Gibraltar is a sophisticated international finance centre that offers flexibility, choice and speed to market. Gibraltar operates a common law legal system and a territorial tax system. Gibraltar companies are taxed at a standard rate of 12.5% only on income accruing in, or derived from, activity in Gibraltar. After Brexit, Gibraltar is the only territory in continental Europe with automatic access to the UK market.

Gibraltar provides for the formation of all types of corporate entities, including companies, investment funds, foundations and partnerships. Gibraltar entities can be used for all types of business including holding and trading companies, estate and succession planning, family office, funds, property holding and insurance.

Sovereign offers company formation and management in Gibraltar across all business areas and corporate structures, together with the administrative support to maximise opportunities and achieve long-term sustainability. These range from full back-office solutions to assistance with compliance in respect of regulatory, tax and economic substance rules.

Gibraltar is a leading international financial centre based on its tax neutrality, sound investment-oriented legislation, modern infrastructure, professional workforce, and proximity to key markets. Sovereign’s Private Client services assist families and entrepreneurs around the world to structure their assets to support personal, family, commercial and charitable interests.

Sovereign can advise on all aspects of the design and implementation of structures from a broad range of vehicles in Gibraltar, including trusts, companies, partnerships and foundations. Sovereign Wealth was also set up in Gibraltar as a stand-alone, fully regulated asset manager to provide services to Sovereign Group clients.

Gibraltar offers special residency regimes that are specifically designed to attract HNWIs (Category 2) and High Executives Possessing Specialist Skills (HEPSS). These make Gibraltar a very attractive home for entrepreneurs, for retirees and for suitably qualified individuals and their dependents. Gibraltar is also an attractive base for the registration of commercial and pleasure yachts.

Under the Gibraltar Private Sector Pensions Act 2019, it is compulsory for all employers in Gibraltar to provide access to a pension scheme for all eligible employees. This is to ensure that every member of the Gibraltar community, including those working in the private sector, is financially protected in their later years.

Sovereign has a long association with Gibraltar and was one of the first companies to receive a professional trustee’s licence. We offer multi-employer and bespoke occupational pension schemes that enable Gibraltar-based employers of any size to meet their ‘auto enrolment’ pension obligations. All plans can be tailored to fulfil the objectives of the scheme sponsors and members.

Gibraltar is an established centre of excellence for international retirement benefit plans. Sovereign Pension Services (Gibraltar) Limited was a founder member of the Gibraltar Association of Pension Fund Administrators (GAPFA).

Sovereign also offers a range of international retirement benefit solutions from Gibraltar, including Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Schemes (QROPS) that are suited to the transfer of UK pension funds if the member is either resident in Gibraltar or is employed in Gibraltar.