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Guernsey at a glance
Guernsey is outside the European Union. Its companies follow the jurisdiction's own incorporation rules. Compare company types, capital, tax, timing and signing requirements before you choose. The proposed 28th Regime (EU Inc) is a separate option that is not available yet.
Company types in Guernsey
- Company limited by shares (Ltd) The standard non-cellular vehicle for trading or holding businesses, with liability limited to the unpaid amount on shares. Most sit at the 0% corporate tax rate.
- Protected Cell Company (PCC) A single entity with ring-fenced cells that segregate assets and liabilities. Guernsey invented this structure; popular for funds and insurance.
Company formation in Guernsey: key facts (last reviewed July 2026)
- Corporate tax
- Guernsey runs the "zero-ten" regime: a 0% standard company tax covering most trading, service and holding companies, a 10% rate for specified regulated financial businesses, and 20% for Guernsey land, utilities and large retail. No capital gains or inheritance tax. From 2025, OECD Pillar Two applies a 15% minimum to large multinational groups.
- VAT rate
- No VAT and no GST. Guernsey does not operate any VAT or GST (a 5% GST has been proposed but repeatedly dropped). Customs and excise duties apply to imports, as the Channel Islands sit outside the EU VAT area.
- Dividends & payroll taxes
- The standard company rate is 0% (10% or 20% for specific regulated or property income), with no dividend withholding. Personal income tax is a flat 20%, and employer social insurance runs around 7%.
- Minimum share capital
- No minimum or authorised share capital; companies are commonly formed with a token amount (for example one GBP 1 share), in any currency.
- Setup time
- The registry can incorporate within 24 hours (standard), 2 hours or even 15 minutes (express), but in practice allow 1 to 2 weeks because a licensed corporate service provider must complete due diligence first.
- Remote setup
- Yes, fully remote, but incorporation can only be filed by a Guernsey corporate service provider (CSP) holding a fiduciary licence; founders cannot self-file. The CSP handles the registry application, registered office, resident agent and remote identity checks.
- Director / residency
- At least one director and one shareholder (one person can be both); no director need be Guernsey-resident, but every company must appoint a Guernsey resident agent (a resident director or a licensed CSP). No company secretary is required.
- Banking options
- Corporate accounts are opened with Channel Islands branches of major international banks, introduced through the CSP; KYC is heavy and usually the slowest step. Fintech multi-currency accounts are widely used.
- Our formation service
- from around ā¬100 to ā¬200 (estimated). You get a fixed quote in your free plan before you commit.
Guernsey is a British Crown Dependency (the Bailiwick of Guernsey), self-governing and NOT part of the UK or the EU, outside the EU VAT area. It uses pound sterling and is a long-established offshore, funds and captive-insurance centre, and invented the Protected Cell Company. Its beneficial-ownership register is private.
How to register a company in Guernsey
Step by step, this is how a Guernsey formation actually runs:
- Appoint a licensed CSP. Incorporations are filed only by Guernsey corporate service providers holding a fiduciary licence; founders cannot self-file.
- Complete due diligence. Beneficial owners clear KYC with the CSP before anything is filed.
- File with the Guernsey Registry. Standard incorporation completes within about 24 hours to a few days; expedited slots exist.
- Registered office and records. The CSP supplies the registered office and keeps the statutory registers.
- Banking. Accounts open with Channel Islands branches of international banks via CSP introduction; KYC is heavy and can take weeks.
We can help coordinate documents, address requirements and filings with licensed local counsel. The steps and timing depend on your company and circumstances.
What company formation in Guernsey costs
The registry fee is modest (around GBP 100 for standard service), but CSP formation packages typically run GBP 1,500 to 4,000 with annual administration of GBP 3,000 to 8,000. The annual validation fee adds a few hundred pounds. Substance and administration are where the money goes.
Plan your Guernsey company formation
Tell us where you live and what you are building. Our formation service fee is from around ā¬100 to ā¬200 (estimated). We help you compare structures and prepare a quote with the scope, costs and expected timing. Government charges, capital and ongoing services are separate unless included in that quote.
Get your free planWho can form a company in Guernsey
Check ownership eligibility separately from director, local-address and licensing requirements. Permission to own shares does not automatically give you permission to live or work in Guernsey. The director and residency information above identifies the main formation conditions to review.
Guernsey fits investment funds, insurance structures and private-wealth vehicles that want a 0% neutral base with respected regulation. Like Jersey, it is professional-grade infrastructure: overkill in cost and compliance for a normal operating business.
After registration: what Guernsey expects each year
An annual validation goes to the registry each year, beneficial-ownership data stays current with the CSP, and economic-substance rules apply to in-scope activities. The standard corporate tax rate is 0% (10% or 20% for specific regulated or utility income). Private companies do not publicly file accounts.
Plan beyond the registration fee
Use these guides alongside the national rules for your company. The cost and filing examples cover Estonia, Ireland and Portugal.
Guernsey and the 28th Regime (EU Inc)
EU Inc, the proposed 28th Regime, would add a harmonised company form in EU member states. Registration is not open and no launch date is confirmed. Guernsey is outside the EU, so forming a company there does not make it an EU company or guarantee access to the proposed regime. Read how to prepare an EU Inc company, or compare current options in company formation in Europe.
Sources and review scope
Use the linked registries, authorities and specialist references to check the requirements for your company. A review of formation costs and filings does not replace a review of your tax position.
No separate topic-level check date is recorded for this profile. Confirm the current requirements with the linked authority before proceeding.
Reference links
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner open a company in Guernsey?
At least one director and one shareholder (one person can be both); no director need be Guernsey-resident, but every company must appoint a Guernsey resident agent (a resident director or a licensed CSP). No company secretary is required.
How long does company formation in Guernsey take?
The registry can incorporate within 24 hours (standard), 2 hours or even 15 minutes (express), but in practice allow 1 to 2 weeks because a licensed corporate service provider must complete due diligence first.
What corporate tax does a company in Guernsey pay?
The headline summary is 0% (zero-ten), with standard VAT of No VAT/GST. Company form, activity, size and where the business operates can change the treatment. Read the detailed tax information and confirm the rules for your case.
Can I form a company in Guernsey remotely?
Yes, fully remote, but incorporation can only be filed by a Guernsey corporate service provider (CSP) holding a fiduciary licence; founders cannot self-file. The CSP handles the registry application, registered office, resident agent and remote identity checks.
What does it cost to form a company in Guernsey?
The registry fee is modest (around GBP 100 for standard service), but CSP formation packages typically run GBP 1,500 to 4,000 with annual administration of GBP 3,000 to 8,000. Our formation service fee is from around ā¬100 to ā¬200 (estimated). Government charges, capital and ongoing services must be budgeted separately unless the written quote includes them.