UEFA European Championship Qualifying Round Gibraltar, March 2019

Event

21 March 2019

On 23 March 2019, Gibraltar’s Victoria Stadium will host the Ireland-Gibraltar qualifying match as part of the UEFA European Championship. This page is intended as an advisory for Irish citizens who are travelling to Gibraltar for this matches.

Know Before You Go: Travel Tips

Get comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling and check what it covers.
Travel with your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which can be applied for through the HSE.
Keep your passport in a safe place: carry your passport card on you or a photocopy of your passport. If you haven’t got a passport card, find out how to apply at https://www.dfa.ie/passportcard/.
Fill in the emergency contact details option on your passport.
Keep your valuables in a safe place.
Keep one of your bank cards and some cash separate from the rest of your valuables and avoid carrying too many valuables with you.
Beware of pick pockets in crowds, restaurants, cafés, on public transport, near ATMs and never leave your bag or belongings out of sight or unattended.
Let people know where you are and make sure you know where your friends are.
Travel well in advance to the stadium. Be aware that there will be extensive security checks when entering the stadium.

Fixture and Tourist Information

On Saturday 23 March, the Republic of Ireland will face Gibraltar as part of the UEFA European Championship qualifying rounds at 18:00 local time in Gibraltar’s Victoria Stadium.

Tourist information can be found on the official Gibraltar Tourism website.

Security: general information

You should exercise caution in large gatherings; be careful with your personal belongings, remain calm in crowds, respect the crowd restrictions at some locations and follow the instructions of the local authorities and the event organisers. Please be aware that, while crime rates are low, pick pockets may target this event.

Security: Victoria stadium

You should allow plenty of time for all travel, in particular to the stadium – it is advised supporters arrive 1.5 - 2 hours in advance of matches. Some vehicle restrictions are likely to be in place in the area surrounding the stadium, and citizens are encouraged to travel to the stadium by public transport or on foot.

You are advised not to bring large bags to the stadium, and to take good care of your valuables.

Emergency Consular Assistance

If you experience a consular emergency, please do not hesitate to contact the Embassy of Ireland, London (see ‘Useful Contacts’). Calls outside of normal office hours regarding genuine emergencies will be directed to a voice messaging service, which is monitored by a Duty Officer. Information regarding the types of consular assistance we can offer are available on our website.

Crossing between Spain and Gibraltar

The Gibraltar-Spain border is a busy external Schengen Border and Gibraltar is outside the customs union. You may experience delays crossing the border by road or on foot due to the high volume of traffic at peak times, and customs and immigration checks. You need a passport in order to cross the border – see ‘Lost/Stolen Passport’ section below in the event that you do not have a passport.

Find out the latest information on the queue by calling (+350) 200 42777, or checking the Gibraltar Frontier website and/or twitter hashtag #GibFrontier.

Money

Sterling is the currency in Gibraltar. Bank of England issued notes and UK coins are accepted, and circulate mixed with locally issued notes and coins of the same value in pounds and pence. Notes issued in Scotland or Northern Ireland are not usually accepted in Gibraltar, and Gibraltar issued notes and coins are not usually accepted in the UK.

Some businesses accept euros, although exchange rates may not necessarily be favourable. Change is normally given in Sterling. UK debit cards and all major credit cards are widely accepted in Gibraltar.

Lost/Stolen Passport

If your Irish passport is lost/stolen, you should first contact your airline or tour operator and check whether they will accept a police report or any other ID you may have in order to facilitate your return journey.

If required, the Honorary Consulate in Malaga (please note that there is no Honorary Consulate in Gibraltar) can issue you with an Emergency Travel Certificate (ETC) – see opening hours and contact details under ‘Useful Contacts’. Please bring

police report
2 passport size photos
a copy of your return travel itinerary
a fee of €30 in cash
any other additional ID you may have
in the case of minors, consent of both parents will have to be obtained before an ETC can be issued.

We have been advised by Spanish border police that, should you need to travel across the border from Gibraltar into Spain in order to obtain an ETC due to a lost/stolen passport, a police report can be used. Having alternative photo ID is, however, an advantage. See under ‘Useful Contacts’ for details of the Royal Gibraltar Police.

Hospitals in Gibraltar and Surrounding Area

St. Bernard's Hospital

Harbour Views Road

Gibraltar

Tel: +350 200 79700 / +350 200 72266

Useful Contacts

Royal Gibraltar Police

Emergency: 199

Enquiries: (350) 200 72500

Embassy of Ireland, London

17 Grosvenor Place,

London SW1X 7HR