Electric scooters and other personal electric transporters capable of travelling above 25km/h will be confiscated in Gibraltar from  May 18 under new government regulations aimed at tightening road safety rules.

The measures form part of Gibraltar’s first formal framework regulating Personal Light Electric Transporters (PLETs), a category that includes electric scooters and similar battery-powered vehicles increasingly used for commuting across the territory and nearby areas of southern Spain.

New enforcement powers introduced

Under the new rules, Gibraltar authorities will be able to stop and inspect electric scooters using mobile speed detection equipment. Any scooter found travelling above 25km/h, or modified to exceed that speed, may be seized by enforcement officers.

The Gibraltar Government said vehicles capable of travelling faster than the legal limit will no longer qualify as PLETs under local regulations. Owners will only be able to recover confiscated scooters once the vehicle has been altered to comply with the law or formally registered as an electric vehicle through Gibraltar’s Driver and Vehicle Licensing Department.

The measures were announced as part of a broader effort to regulate the growing use of electric transport devices on Gibraltar’s roads and public spaces. Officials have raised concerns over safety risks involving pedestrians, road users and riders themselves, particularly in busy areas with high traffic levels.

Rules will affect daily cross-border commuters

The changes are expected to affect many workers and residents who cross daily between La Línea de la Concepción and Gibraltar using electric scooters. Thousands of people travel across the border each day for work, with scooters becoming a popular alternative to cars due to congestion and limited parking inside Gibraltar.

For those commuting from Spain into Gibraltar, the new regulations mean scooters must comply with Gibraltar’s speed restrictions even if they were legally purchased or used elsewhere. Riders entering Gibraltar on modified scooters or high-speed models risk having the vehicle confiscated once inside the territory.

The regulations apply within Gibraltar regardless of where the scooter is registered or purchased. This means some commuters who use scooters legally on the Spanish side of the border may still face enforcement action after crossing into Gibraltar if their vehicle exceeds the permitted speed limit.

Helmet and insurance rules also under review

The Gibraltar Government has indicated that additional regulations may follow in later stages of the legislative process. Authorities are examining whether further requirements, including compulsory insurance, registration systems and helmet use, should apply to electric scooter riders in future.

At present, the newly announced measures focus mainly on speed restrictions and vehicle classification. Officials say the intention is to establish clear rules before the number of electric scooters on Gibraltar’s roads continues to rise further. Mobile enforcement equipment will be used to identify scooters exceeding legal limits, although the government has not yet detailed how frequently checks will take place or whether they will be concentrated near the border crossing area.

Growing use of electric scooters across the region

Electric scooters have become increasingly common throughout Gibraltar and the Campo de Gibraltar region over recent years. Many cross-border workers rely on them for short journeys between transport hubs, workplaces and residential areas.However, the rapid growth in scooter use has also led to concerns over speeding, pavement riding and collisions involving pedestrians. Similar restrictions have already been introduced in several European countries and Spanish municipalities, where local authorities have imposed speed limits and technical requirements on electric scooters.

In Spain, national traffic regulations already set a maximum speed of 25km/h for electric scooters classed as personal mobility vehicles. Scooters capable of exceeding that limit are generally prohibited from public roads unless approved under different vehicle categories. Gibraltar’s new regulations therefore bring local rules more closely in line with existing Spanish standards, although enforcement procedures may differ.

What riders need to know before crossing into Gibraltar

People travelling into Gibraltar on electric scooters are now being advised to check the technical specifications of their vehicle before crossing the border. Riders using modified scooters or models capable of speeds above 25km/h could face confiscation even if they are not actively travelling above the limit at the time of inspection.

Commuters may also need to ensure any speed-limiting software installed on their scooters cannot easily be overridden, as authorities are expected to examine whether vehicles are capable of exceeding legal limits rather than simply monitoring riding speed alone.

The regulations are scheduled to come into force on May 18. Gibraltar authorities have said the measures are intended to improve public safety and establish clearer legal standards for electric transport vehicles operating within the territory.

Nursing staff in Malaga are to receive martial arts training in karate and kendo after the city’s Official College of Nursing warned of a steep rise in violence against healthcare professionals. College president Jose Miguel Carrasco, said that figure represents only “the tip of the iceberg”. The move comes after a nurse who visited a patient’s home, was cornered by the family and prevented from leaving, and found herself in a room containing various bladed weapons

Attacks on nurses in Malaga a rise in cases

Data from the Andalusian Health Service confirmed that 310 attacks on health workers were recorded in Malaga in 2025, 244 verbal and 66 physical.The province now ranks third in Spain for violence against nursing staff, sitting behind only Madrid and Seville. An attack on nursing staff is now being recorded every 15 days in 2026. 

Frontline nurses working in home visits across rural areas and coastal towns are considered particularly exposed, as they often work alone without security support.

What can the nurses do to protect themselves

The nurses must report any incident of aggression, however minor. Carrasco stresses that under-reporting is masking the true scale of the problem.

He explains that the rise in reported attacks isn’t necessarily because people are becoming more violent, rather, it’s because staff are getting better at documenting them. He notes, “We have encouraged professionals to realize that reporting these incidents is essential.”

To address the issue, the college investigates every incident individually. They look at the specific details to figure out exactly where the conflict started and how it could have been stopped or calmed down earlier.

Contact the college’s 24-hour helpline for immediate guidance, legal advice or psychological support after an incident.

Karate, kendo and self-defence, What the Malaga nursing course actually covers

Carrasco is careful to stress that the course is not designed to replace specialist containment teams already operating in hospitals. Rather, it offers basic defensive awareness, practical knowledge drawn from karate and kendo disciplines that nurses can use to protect themselves in both professional and personal settings.  “We have to give them tools to watch over their lives,” he said. “We have reached that point.”

More retirees are looking beyond their home country in 2026 and not only because of the weather. Rising living costs, expensive housing and pressure on healthcare systems are pushing many people to seriously consider retirement abroad for the first time. And according to the latest Global Retirement Index 2026, some of the countries attracting the most attention are not always the ones people expect.

The annual ranking, based on factors including healthcare, cost of living, residency visas, climate, housing and everyday quality of life, suggests it is still possible to enjoy a comfortable retirement without spending a fortune. In several destinations, retirees are managing to live well on budgets that would feel far tighter elsewhere in Europe or North America.

What is changing in 2026 is that retiring abroad no longer feels like a niche dream for adventurous expats. For many people, it is becoming a practical financial decision. And while countries such as Spain and Portugal continue to perform strongly, the number one destination this year is Greece.

Why Greece has become the surprise favourite for retirees

Greece climbed to the top of the 2026 ranking after previously sitting much lower in recent years. For many retirees, the appeal is easy to understand once the numbers are examined more closely.

The country offers more than 300 days of sunshine a year, relatively affordable housing in many coastal areas and a slower pace of life that continues attracting foreign residents looking to escape stress and rising costs elsewhere.

According to the report, a couple can still live comfortably in Greece on roughly €2,900 to €3,000 per month depending on the area and lifestyle.

In some coastal towns and islands, sea view homes continue to rent for between €600 and €1,000 per month, although prices have risen noticeably in recent years due to increased foreign demand and tourism investment.

Healthcare also remains relatively accessible compared with many other countries. Private insurance for couples can cost around €250 per month according to the study. But beyond finances, many retirees say daily life itself is one of the biggest attractions.

The relaxed lifestyle, slower rhythm and outdoor culture continue drawing people who feel increasingly exhausted by the pace and pressure of life in larger cities elsewhere.

Spain, Portugal and Italy still remain among the strongest choices

Although Greece took first place, southern Europe continues dominating the retirement rankings overall.

Spain remains one of the most attractive options for retirees wanting good healthcare, strong infrastructure and warm weather within Europe.

Despite rising housing prices in parts of the country, Spain still offers a lifestyle many retirees struggle to find elsewhere.

In cities such as Málaga, renting a flat near the coast may cost between €1,000 and €1,300 per month. According to the report, overall monthly living costs for one person often range between €1,800 and €2,300 depending on lifestyle.

Spain’s healthcare system also remains one of the strongest points repeatedly highlighted by expats.

Private health insurance policies can still start from relatively affordable monthly prices, especially compared with countries where medical costs are significantly higher.

Portugal also continues attracting retirees despite its rapidly increasing property market.

The country remains especially popular among foreign residents thanks to its climate, safety, healthcare system and residency visa options such as the D7 visa.

However, the report notes that housing prices near Lisbon and other high demand areas have risen sharply compared with only a few years ago.

Italy also performed strongly in the ranking, particularly southern regions such as Sicily.

According to the report, some smaller towns still offer surprisingly affordable housing while daily expenses remain lower than many people expect. For retirees searching for sunshine, food culture and a slower lifestyle without leaving Europe entirely, Italy continues holding strong appeal.

Asia and Latin America are attracting retirees looking for lower costs

Outside Europe, several countries continue standing out because of how far retirement income can stretch.

Malaysia ranked highly once again, particularly for retirees wanting modern infrastructure alongside lower living costs.

The report estimates that a couple can live comfortably there for around $2,200 per month including housing, food, leisure activities and travel.

Thailand also remains one of the most affordable retirement destinations in the world according to the ranking.

Some retirees are reportedly living comfortably on around $1,200 per month, while couples with larger budgets can enjoy an even higher standard of living.

Low housing costs, inexpensive healthcare and well established retirement visa options continue making Thailand especially attractive for foreign retirees.

In Latin America, Panama, Mexico and Costa Rica all performed strongly.

Panama continues drawing attention because of its Pensionado programme, which offers discounts for retirees on everything from transport and entertainment to healthcare and utility bills.

Mexico also remains one of the best value destinations overall according to the report.

The study suggests that comfortable living is possible there from roughly $1,200 per month depending on the location, while retirees with larger budgets can enjoy a particularly high quality of life.

Costa Rica meanwhile continues attracting retirees searching for nature, warm weather and more relaxed living conditions.

Why more people are seriously considering retirement abroad

One of the clearest messages emerging from the 2026 ranking is that retirement abroad is increasingly being viewed as a realistic option rather than an unrealistic fantasy.

For many people approaching retirement age, the decision is becoming less about chasing luxury and more about maintaining quality of life without financial pressure.

Housing costs, healthcare access, climate and day to day expenses now play a much bigger role in retirement planning than they did a decade ago.

And in several of the countries highlighted in the report, retirees say they feel they can enjoy a calmer and more comfortable lifestyle for less money than they would spend staying at home. That is one reason international retirement is no longer only attracting wealthy pensioners.

In 2026, it is becoming part of a much wider conversation about affordability, wellbeing and how people actually want to spend the next stage of their lives.