Setting Up Utilities in Gibraltar: Electricity, Water, Internet and Gas Guide 2026

Setting up utilities in Gibraltar is straightforward because the market is small. The Gibraltar Electricity Authority (GEA) is the sole electricity provider. Gibraltar Waterworks (AquaGib) handles water. Broadband comes from Gibtelecom or GIBFIBRE. There is no mains gas network anywhere in Gibraltar. Most accounts are active within a few working days of registration.

Electricity in Gibraltar

The Gibraltar Electricity Authority (GEA) is the sole electricity provider in the territory. There is no competition, no tariff comparison, and no switching. You register once with the GEA and that is your supplier for as long as you live in Gibraltar.

How to Register with GEA

• Visit the GEA offices at John Mackintosh Square in person
• Bring your passport or Gibraltar ID card, plus proof of your Gibraltar address (a signed tenancy agreement is the most practical document)
• Take a meter reading before you go and photograph it
• Pay the connection deposit (public estimates suggest a standard residential deposit in the region of £50 to £100, though the GEA will confirm the exact amount at registration)
• Your account is typically active within a few working days

Electricity Costs

GEA publishes its tariffs at gea.gi. Gibraltar electricity rates run slightly higher per unit than the UK average. Local residents report monthly bills of around £100 or more for a one-bedroom apartment. In summer, bills climb considerably because air conditioning is heavily used from June through September. If you are moving in summer, budget for higher electricity costs in your first few months and factor that into your initial outgoings.

Water in Gibraltar

Gibraltar Waterworks, trading as AquaGib, manages the territory's water supply. Gibraltar's water comes from seawater desalination and supplementary imports. Tap water is safe to drink throughout Gibraltar and meets European water quality standards.

Local residents report combined electricity and water costs of around £60 to £100 per month for a small flat for two people, as a rough planning guide. Water alone tends to be significantly lower than electricity.

Broadband and Internet

Gibraltar has strong broadband infrastructure for its size. Two main providers serve the residential market, and it is worth comparing both before you commit.

Gibtelecom

Gibtelecom is the incumbent operator and offers full retail broadband across Gibraltar's residential areas. It has the longest-established network and the widest coverage. Public listings indicate monthly broadband costs in the region of £35 to £55 for a standalone package, with bundled TV options running higher. Installation typically takes five to ten working days, so order before your move date if you can.

GIBFIBRE

GIBFIBRE (gibfibre.com) is Gibraltar's third major ISP and a genuine residential alternative to Gibtelecom. As of 2026, GIBFIBRE covers around 90% of Gibraltar addresses using roughly 200km of its own fibre network, and holds a combined market share of around 41%. It is worth checking availability at your specific address on gibfibre.com before signing up with either provider, as pricing and package structures differ.

Business Broadband

Sapphire Networks (sapphire-networks.com) operates in Gibraltar but focuses primarily on the gaming and financial services enterprise sector rather than residential customers. It is not typically relevant for personal or household broadband.

Mobile and SIM Cards

Gibtelecom runs Gibraltar's mobile network. Your UK SIM may work on roaming, but Gibraltar sits outside the UK's post-Brexit mobile roaming arrangements, meaning charges can apply depending on your carrier. If you are staying longer than a few weeks, a Gibraltar SIM or a Gibtelecom contract is worth looking into to avoid unexpected roaming fees.

Gas in Gibraltar

Gibraltar has no mains gas network anywhere in the territory. This surprises many British arrivals who are used to gas central heating and gas hobs as standard.

Where a property has a gas hob or a gas heater, it runs on bottled LPG cylinders. These are available from hardware shops and petrol stations around Gibraltar. A standard cylinder lasts several weeks with normal cooking use. Most modern Gibraltar apartments are fully electric and do not use bottled gas at all, so the majority of new arrivals never need to deal with LPG.

If you are viewing a property and the kitchen has a gas hob, ask the landlord how cylinders are supplied and stored. It is a minor practical point but worth knowing before you move in.

Practical Tips for Setting Up

1. Sort your identity documents before anything else. GEA and other utility providers require valid photo ID and proof of a Gibraltar address. Having your tenancy agreement signed and in hand before you try to register saves a wasted trip back.
2. Check what your rent includes. Many landlords, particularly in larger developments, include water and sometimes electricity within the monthly rent or a service charge. Read your tenancy agreement carefully before setting up accounts you may not need.
3. Order broadband before you move in. Both Gibtelecom and GIBFIBRE typically take five to ten working days to install. Ordering ahead of your move date means you will not spend your first week offline.
4. Take a meter reading on day one. Photograph the electricity meter the moment you get your keys. It protects you when you move out and need to confirm the starting figure.
5. Check broadband availability at your specific address. GIBFIBRE covers around 90% of addresses but that is not 100%. Confirm coverage at gibfibre.com before assuming you have a choice between providers.

Frequently Asked Questions