Guernsey
Bailiwick of Guernsey · Capital: Saint Peter Port
A Channel Island finance centre with a 20% income tax, generous tax caps for the wealthy, no VAT and no capital gains or inheritance tax.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into Guernsey.
Policy overview
2 visa routes into Guernsey
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
Employment Permit (Licence)
SkilledGG-EMP
Housing licence tied to skilled employment in a shortage area.
Eligibility
- Job offer from a Guernsey employer
- Skilled role
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Open Market HNWI Residency
InvestorGG-OM
Residency via purchase of an Open Market property for high-net-worth individuals.
Eligibility
- Open Market property purchase
- Sufficient means
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in Guernsey, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where Guernsey needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
Financial services
Captive insurance and investment funds drive constant hiring.
Healthcare & care
Health and social care roles are on the shortage list.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
No policy changes recorded in the last 90 days. The intelligence agent is monitoring.
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Saint Peter Port
Finance & harbourA beautiful harbour capital and the centre of the funds and insurance industry.
- Cost index
- 88
- 1-bed rent
- $1,700
- Quality
- 84
St Sampson
Working harbour townThe island's second town and commercial port, more affordable for families.
- Cost index
- 80
- 1-bed rent
- $1,450
- Quality
- 81
Living essentials
The practical day-to-day of settling in Guernsey.
Mixed system, paid GP visits, subsidised specialist care; insurance advised.
Free states schools and selective/fee-paying colleges.
High; open-market housing is costly.
Excellent fibre.
Mild, sunny Channel-Island maritime climate.
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendOpen-market housing rules govern who can settle; finance talent is sought after.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Extremely safe with a strong island community.
Higher = safer (crime index 20/100).
Where to live
Which Guernsey city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Saint Peter Port
Picturesque capital
A beautiful harbour capital and the centre of the funds and insurance industry.
St Sampson
Practical north
The island's second town and commercial port, more affordable for families.
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Immigration solicitors for Guernsey
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