To open a Gibraltar business bank account you apply to one of a small number of banks, usually Gibraltar International Bank, NatWest International (for locally owned businesses) or a specialist bank, and pass full due diligence on the company and everyone behind it. Expect the process to take several weeks. Many new companies also open an account with a regulated e-money institution so they can trade while the bank application runs.
At a glance
| Item | Position as of October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Main banks for companies | Gibraltar International Bank, NatWest International, plus specialist and private banks |
| Gibraltar International Bank timing | Within 14 days of a complete application |
| Owner residence rules | NatWest International: all owners in Gibraltar, Channel Islands or Isle of Man |
| Key documents | Incorporation papers, UBO filing, ID and address for all owners, source of funds and wealth |
| Online opening | Not available at Gibraltar International Bank |
| Deposit protection | Gibraltar Deposit Guarantee Scheme for eligible bank deposits; not e-money |
| Alternatives | E-money institutions and banks outside Gibraltar |
Which banks operate in Gibraltar in 2026?
Gibraltar’s banking market is small. The large UK high-street banks have largely left: Barclays withdrew in 2015 and Lloyds closed its Gibraltar operation in 2019. The Gibraltar Bankers Association lists nine members as of October 2026:
- Gibraltar International Bank
- RBS International (trading as NatWest International)
- Moneycorp Bank
- Trusted Novus Bank
- Turicum Private Bank
- J. Safra Sarasin (Gibraltar)
- Union Bancaire Privée
- Xapo Bank
- justbank
Not all of these open everyday business accounts. Private banks focus on wealthy individuals and their structures, and some banks serve particular niches. For the definitive list of licensed banks, check the GFSC’s public register, and ask newer entrants such as justbank directly whether they open accounts for companies.
Which bank suits which business?
| Bank | Who it typically serves |
|---|---|
| Gibraltar International Bank | Start-ups, small businesses and established companies, local and international, directly or through intermediaries |
| NatWest International | Businesses with a single layer of ownership whose owners and directors all live in Gibraltar, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man |
| Trusted Novus Bank | Companies registered in Gibraltar or the UK only, according to 2026 provider guides |
| Moneycorp Bank | Multi-currency IBAN accounts for sole traders, small firms and larger companies, according to 2026 provider guides |
| Turicum Private Bank | Complex structures, usually through intermediaries |
| Xapo Bank | Digital-asset-related businesses, family offices and foundations; 2026 provider guides report onboarding of about three weeks once documents are in |
| J. Safra Sarasin, Union Bancaire Privée | Private banking for high-net-worth clients |
NatWest International also excludes nominee shareholding structures and businesses where cash exceeds 20% of annual turnover. If your owners live elsewhere, read owning a Gibraltar company as a non-resident first.
What documents will the bank ask for?
Banks follow anti-money-laundering rules and want to understand who owns the company, what it does and where its money comes from. Gibraltar International Bank’s list for a corporate account is typical:
For the company
- certificate of incorporation and a Companies House company profile;
- the company’s tax identification number;
- a certificate of good standing if the company is more than 12 months old;
- a board resolution authorising the account;
- evidence of the UBO Register filing;
- a trade licence where the activity needs one;
- contracts or agreements with key counterparties.
For each director, shareholder, secretary, signatory and beneficial owner of 25% or more
- a certified passport or ID and proof of address dated within three months;
- source of funds evidence (for example, six months of bank statements);
- source of wealth evidence (for example, a CV showing how wealth was built).
Complex structures also need an ownership chart and documents for each intermediate company. US persons or entities complete a W-9 or W-8 form. Certification must come from an accepted professional, such as a lawyer, notary, accountant or bank official.
How do you open the account? Step by step
1. Incorporate and register beneficial owners
Most banks will not proceed until the company exists and its owners are on the UBO Register, which must be done within 30 days of incorporation. See how to set up a company in Gibraltar.
2. Send a pre-application questionnaire
Gibraltar International Bank asks for a corporate questionnaire by email first, then decides whether to send application forms. This early screen saves time if your profile does not fit.
3. Submit forms and certified documents
Submit the full application with certified copies. Inconsistent names, addresses or dates across documents are a common cause of delay.
4. Answer follow-up questions
Expect questions about expected turnover, countries you will deal with, major customers and suppliers, and how the business will operate in practice.
5. Activate and fund the account
Once approved, you set up online banking and make any opening deposit. Gibraltar International Bank’s July 2026 fees guide sets a business account maintenance fee of £15 a month and lists no minimum opening deposit, though some sectors pay different charges. NatWest International publishes its business charges separately; a 2026 provider guide quotes £12.50 a month per account.
How long does it take to open a business bank account?
Gibraltar International Bank’s service standard is 14 days from receipt of complete forms and documents. Preparing and certifying the paperwork often adds one to three weeks, so a total of three to five weeks is realistic for a simple company. Applications involving several layers of ownership, non-resident owners, or sectors such as gaming or crypto-assets can take two to three months or more.
Build this into your plan. A licence application, lease or first contract can stall if the company cannot receive or make payments.
Can you use an e-money institution instead?
Yes, and many companies do, at least at the start. Electronic money institutions (EMIs) offer business accounts with IBANs, multi-currency balances and card payments, and onboarding is often faster than at a bank.
Points to weigh:
- EMIs safeguard client money rather than taking deposits, so balances are not covered by the deposit guarantee scheme.
- Some cannot offer lending, overdrafts or cash handling.
- Some counterparties, regulators or landlords may prefer a bank account.
- Check that the provider is authorised by the GFSC, the UK Financial Conduct Authority or an EU regulator, and that it accepts Gibraltar companies.
How are deposits protected?
Eligible deposits at Gibraltar-licensed banks are covered by the Gibraltar Deposit Guarantee Scheme. Sources differ on the limit. The Financial Services Act 2019, as amended in 2022, sets standard cover at the sterling equivalent of €100,000 per depositor, with up to £1 million for some temporary high balances, while Xapo Bank, a member institution, quotes up to the equivalent of £120,000. Your bank must give you a depositor information sheet; check it for the current limit and whether your company’s deposits are eligible. E-money balances fall outside the scheme.
Did the 2026 UK–EU treaty change banking?
Not directly. The treaty, applied provisionally since 15 July 2026, focuses on goods, customs and the movement of people, and does not restore passporting of financial services into the EU. Gibraltar banks still cannot automatically serve EU clients on the strength of their Gibraltar licence.
Gibraltar’s reputation has improved over 2024–2026. The FATF removed Gibraltar from its grey list in February 2024, and the EU removed it from its list of high-risk third countries in 2025. In June 2026 Spain removed Gibraltar from its non-cooperative jurisdictions list. These changes can make correspondent and EU banks more comfortable dealing with Gibraltar companies, but they do not lower due diligence standards. For more, see the UK–EU treaty explained for business.
For costs and the rest of the set-up process, see what it costs to set up a company in Gibraltar or return to the Gibraltar business hub.