Savills Portugal

With a beautiful coastline, wonderful sense of community, rich heritage and a general high quality of life, it is little surprise that Guernsey continues to be an attractive place to live and work.

Made up of 10 parishes, the island has an array of property to suit all tastes and demand has been strong – with both the level of transactions and house prices continuing to rise compared with before the pandemic.

However for those considering a move it’s important to understand the island has two property markets – Local and Open – and that restrictions apply to occupancy rather than ownership.

WHAT DOES 'LOCAL MARKET' MEAN IN GUERNSEY?

This applies to most of the properties on Guernsey. In a nutshell, Local Market homes can be occupied by those who qualify as local residents by virtue of birth or familial connections together with length of residency.

Employment permit holders – recruited to the island to fill essential full-time posts – can also access this market.

WHAT DOES 'OPEN MARKET' MEAN IN GUERNSEY?

Anyone who holds a British or Irish passport or who has the right to live in the UK can buy or rent an Open Market property in Guernsey.

Open Market properties make up roughly 7 per cent of all housing stock on the island, while house prices are generally higher than Local Market values.

Anyone living in an Open Market property has the right to live and work on the island indefinitely. There are no wealth tests or governmental assessments to meet and no need for an employment permit.

Once a buyer has found an Open Market property they then need to apply for an Open Market Resident Certificate via Guernsey’s Population Management Office. They are also able to accommodate their immediate and extended family.

A person who is not a British citizen or Irish passport holder, or does not have the right to remain in the UK, and who is moving for reasons other than full-time employment, needs to apply for immigration clearance.

For those thinking of making a move, here’s a selection of Guernsey properties currently for sale on both the Local and Open Markets: