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Establish a Branch in Gibraltar

Establish a Branch in Gibraltar

A branch is an extension of the foreign parent company that does not have its own legal identity and thus is fully dependent on the mother company. It offers the investor the possibility to engage in economic and trading activities in Gibraltar and establish a strong client base there. 

A branch is a good option for foreign companies that want to control the activity of the Gibraltar company. However, the foreign company must be prepared to deal with any liabilities or debts that may be incurred by the branch in Gibraltar.

 Quick Facts  
  Applicable legislation

Gibraltar Law

Best used for

Banks and financial institutions as well as other types of businesses that maintain a close link with the parent company

Minimum share capital

 No
Time frame for the incorporation (approx.) 

7 days

Management 

Foreign

Legal representative required

Yes

Local bank account 

Yes

Independence from the parent company No
Liability of the parent company Full liability
Corporate tax rate   10%
Possibility of hiring local staff  Yes

Gibraltar offers a good economic environment and a strategic position for foreign investors. Recent developments in the country have made it increasingly attractive for investments in various business fields and foreign companies that want to establish their presence there can open a branch in Gibraltar in 2024.

Our company formation agents in Gibraltar can offer you complete assistance during the company incorporation procedure and give you more information about the political, legal, and commercial environment in Gibraltar.

Registering a Gibraltar branch office

Like other types of legal entities, the branch must be registered in order to carry out the same activities as the parent company. The founder must submit the following documents to the Companies House in order to register a branch in Gibraltar:

  • information about the parent company’s official name which must be the same as the branch office’s name;
  • information about the country in which the parent company is incorporated;
  • a declaration containing information about the company’s directors;
  • copies after the articles of association of the foreign company;
  • information about the appointed authorized personnel in Gibraltar, who must be a resident;
  • information about the foreign company’s latest financial accounts which must be submitted to the Gibraltar authorities.

The documents listed above are to be submitted within one month of opening the branch (that is, one month after commencing the activities in Gibraltar). Others may also be required:

  • a list of the company’s current members;
  • a Certificate of Good Standing;
  • information on any mortgages of charges that exist on the company (if applicable and in accordance with Section 168 of the Companies Act – the provisions thereof can be described in detail by our team).


A registration fee must also be paid when making the application. The documents must be translated into English.

If you want to open a branch office in Gibraltar, you can watch the video below on the company registration procedure:

Special requirements for filing the accounts

As previously listed, the company that registers a branch in Gibraltar will need to provide adequate documentation concerning its financial situation. The following rules apply according to the parent company’s country of origin:

  • For the registration of an EU company branch: the filing of the accounts with the bank registration application is mandatory in all cases; these companies are also ones that need to file accounts in their country of origin;
  • In case of the registration of a non-EU company branch: when the company is incorporated outside the EU it will file accounts if the parent company is required to file these accounts in its state of origin.

Simply put, all parent companies that are required by law to file accounts in their country of origin will also be asked to disclose these accounts as part of the initial documentation when they choose to set up a branch in Gibraltar.

A company that is not required to disclose its accounts in its country of origin will not be required to submit its accounts upon the registration of the branch, however, it will have a period of 13 months, after the end of the accounting reference period, to file these accounting documents.

The Registrar will accept the copies of the accounts prepared for the parent company in the format that is accepted in the parent company’s home country, even if this format is different from that accepted in Gibraltar.

As for all documents, when the accounts are not originally drawn up in English, they will be accompanied by a certified English translation.

The duties of a branch upon its registration in Gibraltar

Once it is duly registered the branch will need to comply with the following:

  1. Notify the Registrar of any alterations to the information initially registered; the change must be notified within 21 days of its occurrence;
  2. Submit the annual returns, according to the Companies Act; every company with a share capital is required to submit the annual return;
  3. Deliver the accounts as previously noted, within one month of setting up the activities of 13 months after the end of the relevant accounting period;
  4. Our team can help you understand these requirements and ensure full compliance during the branch’s activities in Gibraltar. 

Taxation of branch offices in Gibraltar in 2024

Opening a branch office in Gibraltar has many advantages, among which the fact that it allows a foreign company to operate in this small country, compared to the liaison office, for example.

Related to the taxation of the Gibraltar branch, it may have the same accounting period as the parent company, however it will be taxed in the Rock. The corporate tax rate applicable in Gibraltar is 12.5%. The parent company must also issue a copy of its financial statements for the branch to file them with the Gibraltar Trade Register.

Gibraltar branches are taxed in the same way as companies and, in 2024, there are no planned branch special taxes or increases to the taxes already applicable to these types of entities. The branch, which is a non-resident company, will be subject to tax on its Gibraltar-source income. There is no branch remittance tax in Gibraltar. Moreover, there is no withholding tax on dividends, and now withholding tax on interests or royalties.

Some of the most important issues to keep in mind when interested in Gibraltar company formation concerns the applicable fees. Below, our team lists some of the most relevant fees, entering into force starting with March 2024:

  • Incorporation or registration: £100;
  • Stamp duty payable on share capital increases and nominal share capital increases: £10;
  • Same-day urgent incorporation: £200;
  • Incorporation or re-registration within two hours (when the documents are submitted between 9 AM and 3 PM): £500;
  • Same-day urgent company name registration (when the documents are submitted between 12 PM): £200.

Please keep in mind that these fees can be subject to change. Our team will give you updated information upon request. You can also rely on us for accounting services in Gibraltar.

FAQ on setting up a branch office in Gibraltar

Here are a few of the most common questions our Gibraltar company formation consultants receive about registering a branch office:

1. How long does it take to set up a branch in Gibraltar in 2024?

The process of registering a branch in Gibraltar takes around 2 weeks.

2. Is it hard to open a bank account for a Gibraltar branch?

The bank account opening is not difficult even if it takes longer, as this is the standard procedure for any type of company in Gibraltar.

3. Do I need to come personally and apply for the registration of the branch?

No, there is no need for a representative of the parent company to come and file for the registration of the branch office.

4. Does the branch office need a local director?

The branch office is not required to appoint a local director, the director can be a foreign national.

5. Does the branch office need a company secretary?

No, there is no need for a company secretary when opening a branch in Gibraltar.

Other options for foreign companies in Gibraltar

A foreign company can choose to register a branch in Gibraltar or establish another place of business in the jurisdiction. Another valid option, which can be a suitable choice for some companies, is re-domiciliation.
 
As previously stated, the branch is a permanent establishment in Gibraltar that deals directly in the name of the parent legal entity abroad.
 
The alternative is for a foreign company to register a place of business. This is required when the company habitually engages in doing business from Gibraltar (even if that said company has no physician collection with Gibraltar).
 
A company that cannot register as a branch can register as a place of business. The company cannot register as a branch when:

  • it is a UK-incorporated business;
  • it is not a limited company;
  • its activities are insufficient in order to define it as a branch.

 
A foreign company that establishes a branch or a place of business will always remain a foreign company. However, when the foreign company chooses to be re-domiciled in Gibraltar, it will become a Gibraltar company once the registration process is complete. 

Foreign companies interested in setting up a branch in Gibraltar in 2024 can reach out to our team for complete assistance during the setup and registration of their branch. We can provide additional information, as needed, according to the industry in which the branch will activate.

Please contact our company registration agents in Gibraltar if you want to know more about investing in this country and other types of business entities available for foreign investors.