Dmitri Mihhailov
General Partner
Leads Prifinance's corporate practice and oversees client engagements, with senior expertise in international company structuring and bank-account setup.
Register a company in Guernsey
- a zero-rate structure with institutional pedigree.Company registration in Guernsey gives you a remotely established Crown Dependency company with a standard 0% corporate tax rate, no VAT, no capital-gains tax and no withholding on dividends to non-residents. Guernsey also built one of Europe’s leading private-equity and insurance centres and invented the protected cell company. Standard incorporation takes 24 hours, while express processing can take just 15 minutes.
27 yrs
on the international marketon the market
60+
in-house specialistsspecialists
6,000+
companies servedcompanies served
Updated
Guernsey · at a glance
Legal formCompany limited by shares
Time to set up24 hours · 15-min express
Corporate tax0% standard
VATNone
Min. share capitalNo minimum
Remote setupYes - via licensed provider
4.7
★★★★★
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Guernsey in brief
The Channel Islands’ understated powerhouse.
Guernsey is a British Crown Dependency in the English Channel, self-governing for eight centuries and outside both the UK and the EU. Its courts combine Norman legal heritage with English commercial law, while its financial sector is far larger than the island itself would suggest: hundreds of investment funds, a private-equity ecosystem with vehicles listed on the London Stock Exchange, and an insurance market that invented the protected cell company in 1997.
The tax system is deliberately simple: the standard corporate rate is 0%, regulated financial operations pay 10%, and utilities and Guernsey property income are taxed at 20%. There is no VAT, no capital-gains tax, no withholding on dividends to non-resident owners and no inheritance tax; only the global minimum top-up for €750M+ groups interrupts the zero. In return, Guernsey expects proper governance: economic substance where applicable, accounts prepared and licensed local providers involved. That discipline is one of the reasons banks and institutional investors treat Guernsey structures as credible rather than merely low-tax.
Packages & pricing
Company registration in Guernsey - cost and packages.
01 - COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
Company
from£3,900GBP · all-in
Remote Guernsey company formation includes name reservation, Registry filing, government fees and the first year of the registered office and resident agent.
✓Company name check and reservation✓Guernsey Registry filing and government fees✓Memorandum and articles of association✓Registered office and resident agent - first year✓Corporate documents with apostille✓Free pre-incorporation consultation
Optional add-ons: 15-minute express incorporation - Registry surcharge · substance package - scoped individually · annual renewal - from £2,600/year.
Start with Company →02 - COMPANY LIMITED BY SHARES
Most popularCompany + Bank Account
from£5,800GBP · all-in
A working Guernsey company with a bank or fintech account - GBP, EUR and USD balances, cards and online banking through Channel Islands banks or UK EMIs.
✓Everything in Company✓Multi-currency account with a Guernsey bank or UK/EU EMI✓Account application and KYC file preparation✓Introduction to 2-3 suitable institutions✓Compliance onboarding support✓Dedicated account manager
Start with Banking →These are starting prices; the final quote is confirmed before engagement. Registry fees and the resident agent are itemised separately, while fund and insurance structures are scoped individually.
What you can do
Popular uses for a Guernsey company.
Guernsey law welcomes foreign founders, and a company may conduct almost any lawful business. Funds and insurance structures require GFSC authorisation, while the standard 0% rate applies to ordinary trading and holding activities.
Investment funds & PElicensed
For founders considering a Guernsey fund, the jurisdiction offers a mature private-equity and venture-capital ecosystem, including structures with instruments listed on the LSE.
Insurance & PCC captiveslicensed
The birthplace of the protected cell company and one of the world’s established captive-insurance markets.
Holding & JVs
Institutional-grade holding structures with a standard 0% rate and no withholding on outbound dividends to non-residents.
Private wealth & trusts
Companies operating alongside trusts and foundations within a fiduciary tradition spanning 250 years.
International trading
Cross-border goods and services from a whitelisted jurisdiction outside the VAT system.
Real estate & assets
UK and international property held through a structure familiar to lenders and institutional counterparties.
Why Guernsey
Key advantages of the jurisdiction.
✓
0% standard rate
Ordinary trading and holding income is taxed at 0%, while special rates apply to regulated finance and selected local income.
✓
No VAT, no CGT
No VAT system, no capital-gains tax, no withholding on dividends to non-residents and no inheritance tax.
✓
Institutional pedigree
A Crown Dependency on every whitelist, whose funds and PCC structures are recognised by the LSE, lenders and regulators internationally.
✓
The PCC invention
Guernsey created the protected cell company, using segregated cells under one legal structure - now a global standard for captive insurance.
✓
Fast registry
Standard incorporation takes 24 hours, with a genuine 15-minute express service available.
✓
Clear substance framework
Defined economic-substance requirements and licensed service providers help preserve the jurisdiction’s credibility.
How it compares
Guernsey alongside the usual international alternatives.
Jersey is its closest counterpart with a larger banking sector; the Isle of Man sits inside the UK VAT area; Gibraltar offers lower service costs; Cayman remains a leading offshore fund jurisdiction. Guernsey’s distinctive strength lies in its combination of funds, private equity and insurance infrastructure. Figures current as of 2026.
| Country | Corporate tax | VAT | Fully remote incorporation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guernsey | 0% standard · 10/20 special | None | Yes - 24h, 15-min express |
| Jersey | 0% standard · 10/20 special | 5% GST | Yes - banking twin |
| Isle of Man | 0% standard | 20% - UK VAT area | Yes |
| Gibraltar | 15% - territorial | None | Yes - cheaper |
| Cayman Islands | 0% | None | Yes - fund offshore standard |
GuernseyRemote ✓
Corporate tax0% standard · 10/20 special
VATNone
JerseyRemote ✓
Corporate tax0% standard · 10/20 special
VAT5% GST
Isle of ManRemote ✓
Corporate tax0% standard
VAT20% - UK VAT area
GibraltarRemote ✓
Corporate tax15% - territorial
VATNone
Cayman IslandsRemote ✓
Corporate tax0%
VATNone
Requirements
What Guernsey law actually requires.
01
Shareholders - one or more individuals or companies of any nationality; ownership registers are maintained locally and are not published.
02
Director - at least one director of any nationality; resident directors can support substance where the activity requires it.
03
Share capital - no statutory minimum; a single no-par-value share is sufficient.
04
Registered office & agent - both a registered office and a licensed resident agent in Guernsey are mandatory and included in the package.
05
Name - must be distinguishable and approved by the Registry; sensitive words such as bank, insurance, fund or trust require consent.
06
Accounts & validation - accounts must be prepared and retained but are not filed publicly; an annual validation and substance confirmation are also required where applicable.
How it works
From application to an incorporated company in days.
To open a company in Guernsey, we run the process through our lawyers and a licensed local provider: documents are signed remotely, and the Registry can incorporate a clean file within 24 hours.
01Same day
Free consultation
We confirm whether Guernsey fits a trading, holding, fund or PCC structure and establish the full cost in advance.
021-2 days
KYC & documents
Passports, proof of address and a short business description; we prepare the incorporation pack.
03Hours
Name reservation
The company name is checked and reserved with the Registry.
041 day
Registry filing
The licensed provider files the incorporation: standard processing is 24 hours, express processing 15 minutes.
053-5 days
Documents & apostille
You receive the certificate, articles and corporate registers, apostilled for use abroad.
061-3 weeks
Banking
We introduce the company to Channel Islands banks or UK EMIs and support account opening.
Quick facts
Legal formLtd by shares
Min. share capitalNo minimum
Corporate tax0% standard
VATNone
Standard processing24 hours
Express15 minutes
AccountsPrepared, not published
The 15-minute express service is a genuine Registry option for transactions where incorporation is required on the same day.
On the ground
On the ground in Guernsey.
Prifinance - Guernsey
St Peter Port
St Peter Port, Guernsey
01
Crown-Dependency specialists
Your setup is run by a team that files Channel-Island structures with licensed providers every month.
02
Office & resident agent included
A registered office and licensed agent keep the company in good standing while you operate remotely.
03
Funds & insurance experience
GFSC fund and PCC applications are scoped with local counsel. One team from company to licence.
04
Also in Hong Kong, London, Dubai & more
A network of offices across Europe, the Gulf and the Americas. One team for your whole international structure.
We also have offices in
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
5/F, Yau Lee Centre, 45 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong
Vilnius
Lithuania
Gedimino pr. 2
London
United Kingdom
7 Bell Yard
Prague
Czech Republic
Vlkova 532/8, Žižkov
Berlin
Germany
Rankestraße 26
Madeira
Portugal
Rua da Alegria 31, 1F
Budapest
Hungary
Korányi Sándor u. 4
Istanbul
Türkiye
Perpa Ticaret Merkezi, A Blok
Dubai
UAE
33 Level, Al Saqr Business Tower
Toronto
Canada
1110 Finch Avenue West, suite 406
Singapore
Singapore
3 Church Street, #29-68 Samsung Hub
Bangkok
Thailand
Unit P01, Penthouse, VASU1, 1 Sukhumvit 25 Alley
Foshan
China
A-Tower, Yuneng Digital Plaza, 46 Lishui Avenue South
Almaty
Kazakhstan
Republic Square 13
Bishkek
Kyrgyzstan
32 Razzakov Street
Taxation 2026
Zero as the standard rate, with substance and compliance as the trade-off.
Guernsey’s standard corporate tax rate is 0%. Regulated financial operations pay 10%, while utilities and Guernsey property income are taxed at 20%. For this reason, opening an offshore company in Guernsey today means creating a regulated international structure rather than a blanket tax-free vehicle: the outcome depends on the activity, substance and company profile. There is no VAT, no capital-gains tax and no withholding on dividends to non-residents, while the 15% global minimum applies only to €750M+ groups from 2025.
Standard rate - 0%
Trading, holding and investment income defaults to zero.
Special rates - 10/20%
Banking, fund administration and fiduciary business pay 10%; utilities and Guernsey property income pay 20%.
No VAT, no CGT
No VAT registration or charge and no capital-gains tax.
Substance & Pillar Two
Economic-substance rules apply to relevant activities, while the 15% top-up affects only the largest multinational groups.
Levies in 2026
Corporate tax (standard)0%
Regulated finance10%
Utilities / local property20%
VATNone
Withholding on dividendsNone
Annual validationFrom ~£500
Accounts are prepared and the annual validation is filed - we run the calendar with the licensed provider.
Your team
The specialists who'll handle your case.
Eugeniu Bevziuc
Corporate services advisor
Advises clients on company formation, VAT and ongoing compliance, coordinating each step of the setup across the EU.
Alex Danila
Company formation specialist
Your day-to-day contact - coordinates incorporation, documents and the bank introduction, from the first call through to launch.
Follow Prifinance
Active across our channels.
Watch: opening a company in Guernsey with Prifinance
Crown-Dependency zero with institutional pedigree - full support for your Guernsey company, start to finish.
Talk to a specialist →FAQ
Guernsey company registration: common questions.
Can I open a company without visiting Guernsey?+
Yes. KYC and the Registry filing are completed remotely through our lawyers and a licensed local provider. Original corporate documents are couriered after incorporation.
How much does it cost to set up a Guernsey company?+
Turnkey incorporation starts from £3,900, including Registry fees and the first year of the registered office and resident agent. Packages with a bank or EMI account start from £5,800.
How long does incorporation take?+
The Registry can incorporate a clean file within 24 hours, while a genuine 15-minute express service is available for same-day transactions. Apostilled documents follow within a week.
Will the company pay tax in Guernsey?+
The standard corporate rate is 0%, rising to 10% for regulated financial operations and 20% for utilities and Guernsey property income. There is no VAT, no capital-gains tax and no withholding on dividends to non-residents. Owners may still have tax obligations in their own jurisdiction of residence.
What is a protected cell company?+
It is a structure invented in Guernsey in 1997 where one legal entity contains segregated cells, with each cell’s assets protected from the liabilities of the others. PCCs became a global standard for captive insurance and multi-strategy structures.
What are the substance requirements?+
Companies in relevant sectors, including finance, IP and certain holding activities, must demonstrate management, people and premises proportionate to their business. Pure equity holding companies are subject to a reduced test.
Does the company file accounts?+
Accounts must be prepared and retained but are not filed publicly. Instead, the Registry receives an annual validation, while audit requirements mainly apply to larger or regulated companies.
How is banking for a Guernsey company?+
Strong: Channel Islands branches of major banks serve substance-backed companies, and UK EMIs cover operating accounts. Guernsey paper is whitelisted everywhere, which keeps onboarding smooth.
Guernsey or Jersey - which one?+
The jurisdictions are similar but have different strengths: Jersey has the larger banking sector, while Guernsey has a deeper insurance and private-equity ecosystem and is the birthplace of the PCC. The right choice usually depends on the intended industry.
What happens after incorporation each year?+
The annual validation with its fee, renewal of the office and agent, accounts preparation and substance confirmation where relevant - we run the calendar and file everything for you.
Client notes
Google4.7★★★★★
Founders who wanted it done right.
Google4.7★★★★★
“As a software development crew at FewMoreTaps OÜ, we've had the pleasure of working with Prifinance on some key financial moves.First of all, navigating the world of corporate banking and finance can be a maze, but Prifinance made it feel like a walk in the park. They helped us set up a corporate bank account without the hassle of jumping on a plane or drowning in paperwork. Everything was done remotely, smoothly…”
Google
“I had their assistance in company registration and I would recommend them. They were answering all my clarification during the process and offering all their supportThank you Daniel and Irinia”
Google
“We found PRIFINANCE COMPANYvia the Internet and asked for help in organizing the opening of their company in Estonia. PRIFINANCE COMPANY specialists helped us a lot with this. Their professional, competent approach and knowledge of their business left us with only the best impressions.”
Google
“I'm thrilled with my experience with PriFinance! They helped me obtain a crypto license in Estonia without any hassle. The team was super understanding and always available to answer my questions and assist. It was great to see how they put effort into preparing the documents to ensure everything went smoothly. I'm delighted with the outcome and highly recommend PriFinance to anyone looking to get a license…”
Google
“Opening an account with Prifinance in a Swiss bank was such an easy and quick process that I was shocked. It all started with the first call, where I received detailed guidance on the required documents and the entire procedure.One of the key highlights was their attention to detail. As someone who usually gets tangled up in paperwork, I was pleasantly surprised when they sent me all the documents and…”
Google
“I recently had the pleasure of working with Boris.. and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. Boris went above and beyond to assist me with my residency needs. His professionalism, knowledge, and dedication truly stood out. I highly recommend working with Boris and the team!”
Google
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Free consultation
Start your Guernsey company today.
Tell us about the business, and a specialist replies within one business day: trading, holding, fund or PCC, with a timeline and a fixed quote.
✓No obligation; the first consultation is free✓A clear recommendation, not a sales pitch✓Transparent fixed fees, confirmed up front✓EN · RU speaking team