Guernsey has a friendly and welcoming community of just over 63,000 people.
The island of Guernsey is comprised of 10 parishes, each with its own unique character and charm.
There are 16 Primary Schools in Guernsey for children aged 5-11 years old.
Guernsey has two property markets, the Open and Local Market which applies to both rental and sale properties.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any particular queries or concerns, we’re happy to help and are confident you’ll soon be enjoying the benefits of island life.
Locate Guernsey is on hand to provide support throughout the relocation journey.
We have put together this list of key considerations for those planning a move to the island.
Moving your belongings to the island is an key consideration. It's important to work with a reputable shipping company that understands Guernsey and the logistics of shipping goods to the island. Locate Guernsey can provide a list of suitable shippers.
You will need to declare the items you are importing to Guernsey's Customs & Excise office.
We know that some members of the family have four legs, here's what you need to know about bringing your pets to the island.
Guernsey is an unparalleled location to raise children. With a safe and friendly community that will put parents at ease, and a natural playground for children to explore - there's nothing better.
If you are relocating to Guernsey permanently, you must exchange your driving licence within one year. A full driving licence issued by many countries can be exchanged for a Guernsey driving licence by the States of Guernsey Driver & Vehicle Licensing Department.
Driving licences from countries not on the list cannot be exchanged. Individuals must pass a theory and practical driving test in Guernsey before a full Guernsey driving licence can be issued.
An exchange of foreign driving licence application cannot be completed online. You must submit your application in person at our Edward T Wheadon House office or by post.
To find more information about driving licence exchanges, please visit - https://gov.gg/ExchangedrivingLicence
Subject to Immigration clearance, the householder of an Open Market Part A home can accommodate both their immediate and extended family.
A Local Market householder can accommodate their immediate family only.
If you are moving to Guernsey having qualified for immigration clearance, depending on your visa, you may be able to apply for your spouse or partner, and children under the age of 18, to live in Guernsey with you under your immigration clearance. You should however always check with the Guernsey Immigration Office to make sure this is the case. Should you wish for any other members of your family to move to the island to live with you, unless they are British Citizens or Irish passport holders, they will require immigration clearance in their own right to live in Guernsey.
Guernsey provides many volunteering opportunities; from working in a charity shop to pulling sour fig plants or organising charity sports events, there's something for everyone. Many find it a great way to make new friends and give back to the community.
The charitable spirit of islanders is highlighted by the number of events organised and run by volunteers, which help make Guernsey such a great place to live and work.
If you are new to Guernsey and would like more information about settling into island life, please get in touch with the team.
If you are moving to Guernsey from the Common Travel Area (CTA), pet cats, dogs and ferrets accompanied by their owners can be imported without a Pet Passport, except for dangerous dogs, hybrid cats, and dogs descended from endangered species.
If you are moving to Guernsey from the EU, your pet must hold a valid Pet Passport, and further information can be found on the States of Guernsey website - https://gov.gg/pettravelscheme
If you are moving to Guernsey from further afield, you would need to follow the rules for import into the UK, and further information can be found here - https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain
There are various transport options; Condor Ferries, Aurigny, Private charter pick ups and flights. Further information can be provided by Locate Guernsey.
Guernsey employs the UK's best practices across its network of medical centres and the Princess Elizabeth Hospital; however, the healthcare system in Guernsey is different to that of the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.
All Primary Care provided must be paid for, whilst some Secondary Care and Specialist services are free of charge.
Specialist (Secondary Care) services can only be accessed via a GP referral.
The following healthcare services will incur a charge; GP visits, A&E visits, ambulance use, dentists (whether in the dentist's surgery or A&E), and physiotherapy requested by the GP.
Guernsey's healthcare is partly funded by the States of Guernsey's Employment & Social Security Committee, with residents paying into an income-related contribution scheme.
Locate Guernsey can provide a list of healthcare and insurance providers, so please get in touch with the team if you want to find out more.
The new Reciprocal Health Agreement (RHA) with the UK came into force on 1st January 2023. The RHA enables residents from Guernsey and the UK to access medically necessary healthcare free of charge while visiting the other jurisdiction, but only if that treatment cannot wait until the individual returns to their home jurisdiction. To find out more and read the FAQs, please visit the States of Guernsey website - https://gov.gg/rha
“The process of relocating to Guernsey couldn’t have been easier. We didn’t come across any barriers and the information provided by Locate Guernsey was so helpful.”
“Living in Guernsey has improved our work/life balance by far. Because everything is on your doorstep or a very short drive away, you can get so much done in a short space of time instead of wasting time in the car. I can walk the dogs, go for swim and do a food shop all before starting on the emails! Being able to walk by the sea really sets you up for the day.”
“We both feel life here has far exceeded our expectations. Locate Guernsey have made it very easy for us to integrate by holding various social events for newcomers, and at which we have made very dear and lifelong friends. We have been made very welcome by our neighbours, and in general find Guernsey to be filled with folk who are helpful, friendly and of generous spirit. We can honestly say that we have not experienced a second of doubt that we made absolutely the right decision to move to relocate here.”
"Locate Guernsey proved an invaluable resource in preparing for our move and have remained our go to option whenever we need help with island life. No request is ever too big or too small and we feel confident that we can always turn to them when needed."
“We have found ourselves very welcomed into the community, through dog walking and sea swimming we’ve come to know many locals who have a wealth of knowledge and are only too eager to share and help out... even with the pronunciation of place names! We have also had lots of opportunities to meet up with other ‘newbies’ to swap stories and share information.”
