Registering a Business Name in Gibraltar

Source review: 31 July 2026

A business name is the trading identity used by an individual, partnership or corporate body. It is not a company and does not create a separate legal person.

Separate processes: Registering a business name identifies the people or entities behind that name. It does not incorporate a company, register the underlying business activity, issue a business licence or authorise trading.

Date-sensitive process: This guide was prepared on 31 July 2026. Business-name law and Companies House requirements predate the Treaty, but the cross-frontier Business Application was newly published on 30 July 2026 and may be refined as it is implemented.

When registration is required

Registration is generally required where an individual, partnership, firm or corporate body has a place of business in Gibraltar and carries on business under a name other than its true name.

• An individual using only their true forename and surname may not need a separate business name.
• An individual using a different trading name generally requires registration.
• A partnership or firm using a collective trading name generally requires registration.
• A company using a name other than its registered corporate name generally requires registration.

The statutory meaning of business includes professions and can include establishing or operating a website in or from Gibraltar, or through a Gibraltar internet service provider, in connection with promoting a trade, business or profession.

An individual trading under their own name may nevertheless choose to register a business name to give the activity a more recognisable trading identity.

Why a business name is registered

The purpose is to make public the legal identity of the individuals, partners or corporate bodies operating behind the trading name. Customers and authorities can therefore identify who is responsible for the business.

Business name compared with a company

Using the word 'company' in ordinary language does not by itself mean that a registered company exists. The proposed name must not misleadingly suggest a corporate status that the applicant does not have.

Approval of the proposed name

The proposed business name must be approved by the Registrar before registration. Corporate suffixes such as Limited, PLC or S.A., or another suffix denoting a corporate entity, must not appear at the end of a business name that is not the name of a registered corporate body.

Where the applicant is not a registered company, the word 'Company' should not ordinarily be used in a way that suggests incorporation. Companies House distinguishes this from expressions such as '& Company' or '& Co', which can indicate that other persons participate in the business.

Name approval: Approval of a business name is separate from trademark rights, domain ownership, sector-specific approval and the later Business Application. Applicants should not commit to branding or signage until the necessary checks are complete.

Applicant types

Companies House provides separate business-name applications for:

• a company;
• an individual acting as sole owner; and
• a firm with more than one owner.

Business address and premises waiver

A postal address is required for business-name registration even where the applicant expects to request a premises waiver as part of the Business Application.

An applicant intending to use a government residential address only as a postal address, or a private residential address while seeking a premises waiver, should declare that intention in the business-name application.

What registration does not do: Acceptance of an address for business-name registration does not authorise commercial operations from that property and does not guarantee that a premises waiver will be granted. Government housing conditions, title restrictions, leases and headlessor or owner approvals remain relevant.

Supporting documents

The documents depend on the applicant type. The current requirements should be confirmed before submission, but the official material identifies:

• proof of identity for an individual applicant, normally a passport or identity card;
• for a foreign corporation not already registered in Gibraltar, its Certificate of Incorporation and a recent Certificate of Good Standing;
• proof of the applicant's address, such as a recent utility bill;
• proof of the right to use the address where the business is located or from which it trades, such as a utility bill, lease, tenancy or rental agreement; and
• a Power of Attorney where the person signing is not an authorised officer or the applicant.

Certificate of Registration

Once registration is completed, the Registrar issues a Certificate of Registration of the Business Name. The certificate records the business name; it should not be presented as a company-incorporation certificate or a business licence.

Changes after registration

A change to registered particulars must be notified to the Registrar within 14 days. Relevant changes can include:

• a change of business name;
• a change of business or postal address;
• a change in the nature of the business;
• the addition or removal of a partner; or
• another change to the particulars held by the Registrar.

The notification must be supported by the documents relevant to the change, such as identification or address evidence.

Annual statement

Every registered business name must file an Annual Statement of Particulars at least once in each calendar year. Companies House states that the return should be lodged within 30 days of its return date.

Where registered details have materially changed, an individual may need to provide updated identity, address and right-to-use-address documents. A Power of Attorney can be required if another person signs. A locally registered company may need a Power of Attorney where the person signing is not a company officer.

Cessation

When the business ceases operating and the business name is no longer required, a Notice of Cessation of Business must be lodged with the Registrar. Ending the trading activity may also require separate notifications to the Department of Business, Employment Service and Income Tax Office.

Business licensing remains separate

Before applying for or using a business name, the applicant should establish whether the proposed activity requires a business licence, sector-specific approval, registration-only treatment or a premises waiver.

Gibraltar Business Licence Requirements for Cross-Frontier Businesses explains these requirements and the supporting documents for the Business Application.

Cross-frontier relevance

An overseas individual, partnership or company should not assume that a trading name registered in Spain or another country can automatically be used as the Gibraltar business name. The appropriate Gibraltar structure, name registration, address evidence and Business Application must be considered together.

Professional assistance

Depending on the ownership and activity, assistance may be available from Company Management and Formation Specialists, Accountants, Lawyers and Business Advisers.

These contextual service references are provided for information and ease of reference. They do not constitute recommendations and do not replace individual professional advice.

Pre-application checklist

• Identify whether the applicant is an individual, firm or company.
• Confirm whether the proposed name differs from the applicant's true personal or corporate name.
• Obtain name approval before committing to branding.
• Confirm the postal and operating address arrangements.
• Identify whether a premises waiver will be requested.
• Collect current identification and address evidence.
• Obtain evidence of the right to use the business address.
• Prepare any required corporate certificates or Power of Attorney.
• Plan the separate Business Application, employment and tax registrations.
• Record the annual-return and change-notification obligations.

Related Gibraltar.com guidance

• Cross-Frontier Trading Requirements
• Registering a Foreign Company or Branch in Gibraltar
• Gibraltar Business Licence Requirements for Cross-Frontier Businesses
• Company Formation in Gibraltar
• Working and Employing People in Gibraltar
• Gibraltar Tax

Authoritative sources and official documents

Official materials are listed here as the evidence base for this Gibraltar.com guide. They do not replace the practical explanation above.

• Companies House Gibraltar - Business Names, updated January 2025
• HM Government of Gibraltar - Guidance on Registering to Provide Services in Gibraltar, 30 July 2026
• Guide to Business Registration in Gibraltar - Department of Business, 30 July 2026
• Guia para el Registro de Negocios en Gibraltar - Department of Business, 30 July 2026
• Fair Trading Act 2023 - current legislation page
• Office of Fair Trading - Business Application
• Office of Fair Trading - Business Licensing Requirements
• Office of Fair Trading - Goods Categories
• Office of Fair Trading - Service Categories
• Department of Employment - Employment Service Registration Explained

Important: This page provides general information based on official material available on 31 July 2026. It is not legal, tax, accounting, employment or regulatory advice. Requirements may change as the newly published procedures are implemented and refined. Applicants should verify current requirements with the relevant Gibraltar authority and obtain appropriate professional advice before commencing business or making contractual commitments.