Gibraltar is the only European region that has a wild monkey population. Around 300-400 of them can be found trying to steal your food from your backpack, so beware!
Besides that, what can you actually do and see in Gibraltar? Of course, you have to see the Rock of Gibraltar. You can also find many caves as well, such as the Saint Michael's Cave. Moorish Castle has cool views from it too.
What is not cool is dealing with an expensive roaming bill you get from roaming with your provider in Gibraltar. Roaming can be expensive in many cases, which is why many travelers prefer to buy a local SIM card, like a Gibraltarian.
Mobile data is not overly expensive, but not super cheap either in Gibraltar. Even then, using a local SIM card will probably be cheaper than roaming.
In this article, I will go over everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Gibraltar. Let's do this.
Original publication: 23rd of May 2020. Last updated: 2nd of March 2024.
Table of Contents
Telecom Provider in Gibraltar
Gibraltar has 1 telecom operator:
- Gibtelecom
They have 2G, 3G, and 4G/LTE networks.
Best SIM Card in Gibraltar
SIM Card Registration Regulations in Gibraltar
Like many countries in Southern Europe, and Europe in general, you do not have to register yourself when buying a SIM card in Gibraltar.
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory. This means that it is not a country, nor is it part of the United Kingdom. However, Gibraltar does fall in the legal jurisdiction of the United Kingdom, which makes it, until the end of 2020, part of the European Union.
As of June 2017, a new regulation has been enforced, which is known as roam like at home, meaning that those with a European Union (or EEA) SIM card should be allowed to use (some) of their data allowance in other EU/EEA countries without a surcharge.
Until the transitional period expires on the 1st of January, 2021, those with an EU/EEA SIM card can Roam Like at Home in Gibraltar. After that, things can change drastically. The same can be said for using your Gibtelecom SIM card in the EU/EEA. Once there is more information about this issue, this section will be updated, but it is something to be aware of.
With that being said, let’s see what Gibtelecom has to offer to us.
Gibtelecom
Gibtelecom is the sole operator in Gibraltar, and they are state-owned.
SIM Card Price – Gibtelecom
- Find out how much SIM cards cost in every country, including data-only SIM cards and tourist SIM cards, offered by each mobile operator + information about starter benefits (lookup tool)
You can consider getting a travel eSIM for Gibraltar, which can, in specific scenarios, be cheaper than getting a SIM card from Gibtelecom.
Especially if you get a Europe-wide eSIM (for when you visit at least two or more supported European countries) or a global eSIM (for frequent travelers visiting multiple continents).
In my Gibraltar eSIM buying guide, I analyze various eSIM options of eSIM providers I have tested extensively worldwide.
But I will introduce them here quickly:
- Airalo: Gibnet (Gibraltar only), Eurolink (39 countries in Europe) & Discover+ (130 countries worldwide + up to 200 worldwide minutes & 200 worldwide SMS) – use code MAR15 (15% off – first-time users only) or MAR10 (10% off)
- Alosim: Gibraltar – use code PTW (5% off – no limits)
- Holafly: Gibraltar – all variants include unlimited data – use code PHONETRAVELWIZ (5% off – no limits)
- Nomad: Gibraltar, Global (109 or 139 countries, depending on the variant) – use code ADU123 (3 USD off – first-time users only)
Once again, check out my Gibraltar eSIM buying guide to learn more about these eSIM options.
For now, I will continue with Gibtelecom.
The Preferred Way to Stay Connected When Traveling in Gibraltar
Getting a SIM card from Gibtelecom would be your only option when considering a Gibraltarian SIM card.
Local Prepaid SIM Cards in Other European Countries
Visiting other countries in Europe? Check out my Europe SIM card buying guide, covering other European nations, such as:
- Åland Islands
- Abkhazia
- Albania
- Alderney
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brecqhou
- Bulgaria
- Channel Islands
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Faroe Islands
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Gibraltar
- Greece
- Greenland
- Guernsey
- Herm
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Isle of Man
Going to other places around the world? Then you should also check out my sim card buying guides for other destinations around the world.