Gibraltar Business Support 2026

The current package includes:

• a Transaction Tax deduction, now in force for qualifying retail and wholesale businesses;
• a separate Business Modernisation scheme, which Government says will be published shortly;
• business-rates relief announced for qualifying retail and wholesale businesses;
• a 24-month moratorium on certain commercial rent increases; and
• a 36-month waiver of vacancy-registration fees for retail and wholesale businesses.

The Transaction Tax deduction and Business Modernisation scheme are two alternative forms of support. Businesses cannot receive both.

The other measures, including rates, rents and vacancy-registration fees, form part of the wider business-support package and should be considered separately.

Transaction Tax deduction — now in force

The Transaction Tax (Deductions) Rules 2026 were published on 23 September 2026.

They provide a tax deduction for qualifying retail and wholesale businesses affected by the additional cost of Transaction Tax during the first 90 days of the new arrangements.

The first qualifying period runs from 15 July to 12 October 2026.

The deduction is based on the difference between:

• the Transaction Tax actually paid during the qualifying period; and
• the Import Duty that would previously have been payable on the same goods.

The deduction only applies where Transaction Tax is higher.

It is then subject to a further limit. The deduction cannot be more than 50% of the tax paid by the business in its previous accounting period or year of assessment.

For the full calculation, eligibility rules, records required and current OFT certification position, see Gibraltar Transaction Tax 2026.

Businesses that need help working out the tax position should contact an Accountant in Gibraltar or Tax Consultant in Gibraltar.

Who can qualify for the Transaction Tax deduction?

The deduction applies to qualifying retail and wholesale businesses that obtain the required certification from the Office of Fair Trading.

Businesses principally selling the following do not qualify for this deduction:

• food, beverages and household grocery products;
• tobacco;
• wine or spirits;
• fuel; and
• vehicles.

Businesses must also meet the tax, PAYE and Social Insurance conditions set out in the Rules.

They must either:

• have been compliant with these obligations on 15 July 2026; or
• become compliant within 30 days of the Rules coming into force, with the written approval of the Commissioner of Income Tax.

Claims must include:

• Office of Fair Trading certification; and
• proof of Transaction Tax paid.

The deduction is also subject to the applicable de minimis State Aid rules.

OFT certification

OFT certification is a specific requirement of the Transaction Tax deduction.

At the time of writing, Government has confirmed that certification is required but has not published a dedicated form, contact point or step-by-step procedure for obtaining this particular certification.

Gibraltar.com is in contact with the relevant departments for confirmation of the certification process and any dedicated contact details. This page will be updated as soon as that information is confirmed.

Businesses that may claim should, in the meantime, make sure that their existing OFT licence correctly describes the goods they sell and whether they trade by retail or wholesale.

Business Modernisation scheme — full details still awaited

Government has confirmed that it will also introduce a separate scheme to support business modernisation.

The areas Government has specifically identified are:

• business premises;
• business processes;
• IT; and
• staff training.

The full scheme has not yet been published.

As at 24 September 2026, Government has not confirmed the final:

• eligibility rules;
• level of financial support;
• qualifying expenditure;
• application dates;
• application form;
• assessment procedure; or
• payment arrangements.

These details should not be assumed until the Government publishes the scheme.

What has been confirmed is that businesses will only be able to benefit from one of the two main support measures.

A business receiving the Transaction Tax deduction will not also qualify for the Business Modernisation scheme.

Gibraltar.com will update this page as soon as the full Modernisation scheme is published.

What should businesses do if they do not yet know which scheme to choose?

Businesses should not wait for the Modernisation scheme before protecting their ability to claim the Transaction Tax deduction.

If a business may qualify for Transaction Tax relief, it should meet and document the Transaction Tax requirements that are already known.

This does not mean that the business has chosen the Transaction Tax deduction.

It means that the business keeps that option open while waiting to see whether the Modernisation scheme is suitable.

Businesses should therefore:

• keep proof of all qualifying Transaction Tax paid from 15 July 2026;
• keep the customs and accounting records needed to show what Import Duty would previously have been paid;
• make sure their tax, PAYE and Social Insurance position meets the Rules;
• check that their OFT licence correctly describes their business activities;
• obtain the required OFT certification when the process is confirmed; and
• keep the accounting and tax information needed to work out the 50% limit.

A business may later find that it does not qualify for the Modernisation scheme, or that the Transaction Tax deduction gives it more useful support.

Businesses should take professional advice where necessary before choosing between the two schemes.

Records businesses should keep

Businesses that may claim the Transaction Tax deduction should keep clear records now rather than trying to recreate them later.

Useful records include:

• Transaction Tax declarations and payment records;
• previous Import Duty records;
• customs declarations;
• supplier invoices and credit notes;
• information showing the type and value of imported goods;
• freight, insurance, packing and other costs included in customs value;
• stock and sales records;
• accounting records;
• PAYE and Social Insurance records; and
• information needed to calculate the tax limit.

For information on customs procedures, goods movements and customs values, see the Gibraltar–EU Treaty Trade & Customs Guide.

Businesses needing help with customs documentation or historic import records should contact a Freight Agent or Forwarder in Gibraltar.

Business-rates relief

Government has also announced additional business-rates relief for qualifying retail and wholesale businesses.

The announced measure covers the six-month period immediately before the Treaty arrangements took effect.

Government stated that the relief would provide an additional 25% reduction, on top of the existing 50% reduction for payment on time.

Where the rates for the relevant period have already been paid, Government announced that the relief would be dealt with through a credit against future rates or, at the taxpayer's choice, a refund.

The original Government announcement also linked this rates relief to the same tax, PAYE and Social Insurance compliance requirements.

The Minister for Business subsequently announced that the rates-relief measure would be extended to the restaurant sector in the same way as to retail businesses.

Businesses should keep their rates records and proof of payment.

Where the application of the relief is unclear, businesses should confirm their individual position before relying on a credit or refund.

Commercial rent moratorium

Government announced a 24-month moratorium on rent increases for premises used principally as:

• retail shops; or
• stores for the wholesale of goods.

The moratorium was announced to run from the start of the new Treaty arrangements.

Under the announced measure, rent under a qualifying lease should not be increased above the level payable immediately before the moratorium began.

Government stated that this would include increases made through:

• a rent-review clause;
• a break and re-grant; or
• another method of increasing the rent under the lease.

Government also announced a tax surcharge where a landlord increases rent in breach of the moratorium, intended to remove the financial benefit of the increase.

Commercial leases can vary considerably. A tenant or landlord who is unsure whether a particular premises, lease, review or payment is covered should contact a Lawyer in Gibraltar or an appropriate commercial property adviser before acting.

Vacancy-registration fee waiver

Government also announced that fees for registering job vacancies would be waived for retail and wholesale businesses for 36 months from the start of the new Treaty arrangements.

The measure is intended to reduce recruitment costs for affected businesses.

It does not remove other employment obligations.

Businesses must still comply with the normal requirements relating to employees, registration, wages, PAYE, Social Insurance, pensions and employment contracts.

Businesses looking for recruitment support can contact a Recruitment company in Gibraltar.

Could the Transaction Tax relief be extended?

Yes.

The first Transaction Tax qualifying period ends on 12 October 2026.

The Rules allow this period to be extended for further periods of 90 days on the advice of an independent committee appointed by the Minister.

A further period should not be assumed unless Government formally confirms it.

Gibraltar.com will update this page if an extension is announced.

Frequently Asked Questions

What business support is currently available in Gibraltar in 2026?

The support package includes the Transaction Tax deduction, a forthcoming Business Modernisation scheme, business-rates relief, a commercial rent moratorium and a waiver of vacancy-registration fees for qualifying businesses.

Is the Transaction Tax support now confirmed?

Yes.

The Transaction Tax (Deductions) Rules 2026 were published on 23 September 2026.

When does the first Transaction Tax relief period run?

From 15 July to 12 October 2026.

Can a business claim both the Transaction Tax deduction and the Business Modernisation scheme?

No.

A business receiving the Transaction Tax deduction cannot also receive support under the Business Modernisation scheme.

Has the Business Modernisation scheme opened?

Not yet.

Government has said it will publish the scheme in the near future. Full eligibility rules, funding limits and application details have not yet been published.

What will the Business Modernisation scheme cover?

Government has so far confirmed support relating to:

• premises;
• business processes;
• IT; and
• staff training.

Further details are still awaited.

What should a business do if it has not decided which support scheme to use?

If it may qualify for the Transaction Tax deduction, it should still meet the known Transaction Tax requirements and keep all the relevant records.

This keeps the Transaction Tax option available while the business waits for the full Modernisation scheme.

What does a Transaction Tax claim require?

Government has confirmed that claims must include:

• OFT certification; and
• proof of Transaction Tax paid.

The business will also need records to support the calculation.

Is an ordinary OFT business licence enough?

The new Rules specifically require OFT certification for the Transaction Tax deduction.

Government has not yet published the detailed certification process.

Gibraltar.com is seeking clarification from the relevant departments and will update this page when the process is confirmed.

Are all retail and wholesale businesses eligible for the Transaction Tax deduction?

No.

Businesses principally selling food, beverages and household groceries, tobacco, wine or spirits, fuel or vehicles are excluded.

Other conditions also apply.

How much Transaction Tax relief can a business receive?

The deduction is based on the difference between qualifying Transaction Tax paid and the Import Duty that would previously have been payable.

It cannot exceed 50% of the tax paid in the preceding accounting period or year of assessment.

Is the Transaction Tax deduction a cash refund?

No.

It is a deduction against assessable profits.

It is different from the separate Customs refund arrangements for certain goods whose journey to Gibraltar began before 15 July 2026.

For that process, see Gibraltar Transaction Tax 2026 and Gibraltar Customs Clearance.

Does the business-rates measure refund rates already paid?

Government announced that rates already paid for the qualifying period could be dealt with by a credit against future liabilities or, at the taxpayer's choice, a refund.

Businesses should confirm how this applies to their individual rates account.

Does the rent moratorium apply to every commercial property?

No general assumption should be made.

The announced measure applies to leases of premises used principally as retail shops or stores for the wholesale of goods.

Individual leases and uses may require professional advice.

Does the vacancy-fee waiver remove other employment requirements?

No.

The waiver concerns the vacancy-registration fee. Normal employment, payroll, registration, wage and pension obligations continue to apply.

Where can businesses follow further updates?

Gibraltar.com will continue to update the Gibraltar Transaction Tax 2026, Gibraltar Business Support 2026 and Gibraltar–EU Treaty 2026 guides as Government publishes further rules and application information.

Professional guidance

The information above is intended as general guidance only.

The support available to a business will depend on its own circumstances, tax position, business activities and the final rules for each measure.

Businesses should take appropriate professional advice before making a claim, choosing between the two main support schemes or taking financial, employment or property decisions based on these measures.

Businesses needing assistance should contact an Accountant in Gibraltar, Tax Consultant in Gibraltar, Business Consultant in Gibraltar or other suitable professional adviser.