A method and apparatus for enabling remote access to a local gateway (302) of a local network from a remote device (300) located outside the local network. Capabilities and credentials of the remote device and of the local gateway are configured independently in an IMS core (304) for the remote access. One or more users are also authorized for remote access to the local network by adding an IMS identity of each authorized user to an IMS based ACL (Access Control List). An access request to the local gateway from the remote device will be accepted if the IMS identity of the remote device user is present in the IMS based ACL. A remote access connection can then be established by means of the configured capabilities and credentials of the remote device and the local gateway.