By Simon Jones, Swoffers Open Market Negotiator
We live in a time of continued and increasing global political and financial uncertainty. Turn on any news channel and you’ll be left in no doubt by Messrs Peston, Bradby et al that things have, even though it might not have seemed possible, actually gone from bad to worse. War in The Middle East and Ukraine, social unrest almost every day, politicians seemingly incapable of telling the truth (or worse), the list goes on and on.
Contrast that with newspaper headlines such as ‘Hospice raffling electric car’, ‘Parish anger over missed bin collection’ or my personal favourite… ‘GSPCA rescues kestrel but not plastic peregrine!’. All genuine Guernsey Press headlines in recent years. Life is clearly a great deal less stressful in Guernsey!
It’s not surprising that Guernsey continues to grow in popularity as one of the most appealing relocation destinations. Yes, Guernsey is famous for its beautiful beaches; sandy ones, pebbly ones, some near a pub, others very secluded, but there is so much more to this beautiful island. The health system is fabulous; you’ll very often be the only person in the waiting room if you attend A&E, you’ll usually be able to get a same day GP appointment and see a dentist within a couple of days. We look after our island too; Guernsey has a 70% recycling rate, one of the highest in Europe. There is almost full employment, only about 250 people are out of work, which is one of the reasons that the island has no debt, substantial reserves and, therefore, a very low tax regime.
Unlike most countries, in Guernsey there is no VAT, no capital gains or inheritance tax. Income tax is charged at a flat 20% after generous personal allowances with further tax caps available to those relocating to the island. Property taxes are low; document duty starts at 2.25%, rising to a maximum of 7% on purchases of >£5m, compared to the UK where you pay 12% on any purchase over £1.5m.
Guernsey operates a split residential property market. The Local/Open Market was borne out of housing controls introduced after WWII, designed to protect housing for Guernsey residents. In 1957, some larger, higher value homes were exempted from housing controls, allowing them to be purchased by non-residents, these homes formed what we know today as The Open Market. The Local/Open Market was formalised in the 1960s.
Since its inception, the Open Market has demonstrated resilience and momentum, fuelled by those wishing to partake in Guernsey’s vibrant community, enjoy the relaxed way of life and the benefits of a very safe, and low tax, environment. Activity has remained consistently strong, with well-presented properties continue to attract significant interest. 2025 saw a record £198m of Open Market transactions and 2026 has started equally strongly with Q1 sales of £51m and many more in the pipeline.
Swoffers has played a central role in this success. As the market leader in Guernsey’s Open Market since 1972. The firm combines decades of experience with an in-depth understanding of both local dynamics and the needs of relocating buyers. Swoffers has been instrumental in the sale of many of the island’s most prestigious homes, and year after year handles more than 60% of all Open Market transactions – an unrivalled share that reflects both trust and performance.
For those considering a move to Guernsey, or for homeowners thinking about selling, expert guidance is essential in a competitive and fast-moving market. Swoffers offers an unrivalled service designed to deliver results, whether you are searching for your ideal home or looking to maximise the value of your property.
To begin your Guernsey journey, contact Swoffers on 01481 711 766, register at www.swoffers.co.uk or simply email sales@swoffers.co.uk.
