About Guernsey
About Guernsey
Guernsey is part of the Channel Islands, which are situated in the Bay of St Malo, 20 miles from the French coast and 70 miles south of Weymouth. The Bailiwick of Guernsey is comprised of the islands of Guernsey, the largest, Alderney, Sark and Herm, as well as many smaller islands and islets.
The Island is roughly triangular in shape, 24 square miles in area, with cliffs in the south, and a coastal common at sea-level in the north. Guernsey enjoys a mild climate, with no extremes of temperature. Snow is rare, and severe frosts infrequent. There are ten parishes in the island and a population of approximately 62,000.
Housing Laws have evolved since around the 1960’s, and allow for new residents to buy homes as well as protecting the Island’s housing stock for local people. Those wishing to move to Guernsey to take up employment in specialised areas, which the local employment market cannot fill, may be granted Housing Licences, which will allow them to occupy a local market home. Those without licences would be required to buy one of the 1700 open market homes which are open to citizens of the United Kingdom and European Union to purchase.
In Guernsey, there is no VAT, death duty or capital gains tax. Income tax is levied at a standard rate of 20% after generous personal allowances are taken into consideration. It is always advisable to take professional tax advice when considering a move to Guernsey.
Guernsey is part of the British Isles, but not the United Kingdom, and owes her allegiance directly to the Crown. This privilege has existed since 1204, and Guernsey enjoys a special status, which is celebrated and commemorated by not infrequent visits from Members of the Royal Family.
Guernsey is a good place to raise a family – safe and picturesque. Examination results throughout the Island are better than those in the United Kingdom, and children have a thriving community in which to live and take their part.