Guernsey has established itself as a stable and well-regarded international finance centre, offering legal autonomy, regulatory consistency and deep sector expertise. With support from Guernsey Finance, the agency responsible for promoting the jurisdiction globally, this guide sets out 10 things every international client should know, from fund structuring and private wealth to sustainable finance and cross-border planning
Guernsey has spent decades building a reputation that few small jurisdictions can match. While other jurisdictions have sought reinvention, the island has focused on doing fewer things and doing them well. That approach has attracted a steady pipeline of global capital, supported by a specialist workforce and a legal framework known for both consistency and credibility.
Regulatory control and long-standing sector expertise continue to define Guernsey’s appeal as an international finance centre. As a self-governing Crown Dependency, it has full control over its domestic legislation and financial regime, allowing it to develop structures and strategies that reflect the needs of long-term investors. Over time, this autonomy has created space for innovation, particularly in areas such as sustainable finance, captive insurance, and private wealth.
That same autonomy has also shaped Guernsey’s ability to serve cross-border clients. Its legal and regulatory frameworks, for example, are built to support fund managers, global insurers, family offices and advisers who require stability, responsiveness and jurisdictional clarity. Strong ties with the UK, the EU and other global markets also provide reliable access, while domestic control ensures that regulation remains focused, familiar and fit for purpose.
The island also offers a quality of life that supports long-term professional retention and close client relationships. The result is a jurisdiction where expertise is matched by continuity, and where financial infrastructure is shaped by trusted, long-term relationships.
For those managing cross-border wealth, launching funds, setting up structures or seeking long-term jurisdictional certainty, these are the essential things every international client should know about Guernsey. This 10-point guide reflects the breadth of expertise that defines the jurisdiction.
1. Guernsey is a fully self-governing Crown Dependency
Although closely connected, Guernsey is not part of the UK, nor of the EU. The island governs its own domestic affairs, including taxation and financial regulation. This independence gives it long-term certainty and the ability to shape policy around its own priorities rather than outside political pressures.
2. Political stability underpins the island’s financial credibility
Guernsey’s constitutional structure has created a stable and fiscally disciplined environment. In contrast to jurisdictions affected by shifting political landscapes, Guernsey maintains a steady and predictable regulatory outlook, which is central to investor confidence.
3. The island is a leading jurisdiction for private capital
Guernsey’s regulatory flexibility and depth of expertise make it especially attractive to private capital. The jurisdiction is home to a globally respected fiduciary sector offering tailored trust and estate planning services, along with modern structuring options for family offices and private clients.
4. Guernsey ranks first for London-listed investment funds outside the UK
More than 800 funds are domiciled in Guernsey, representing over £280 billion in net asset value. The island is the top location for London Stock Exchange-listed funds outside the UK, with many asset managers favouring its fast and effective approval processes.
5. Fund managers value the Private Investment Fund regime
The Private Investment Fund (PIF) structure enables experienced investors to launch funds quickly without compromising regulatory oversight. Designed to reduce time to market, the PIF reflects Guernsey’s ability to match innovation with practical utility.
6. Guernsey created the first regulated green fund product
In 2018, the Guernsey Green Fund became the world’s first regulated product of its kind. It provides fund managers with a transparent framework to demonstrate alignment with globally recognised environmental standards, and has become a foundation for wider sustainable finance activity on the island. This was followed by the Natural Capital Fund, another world first.
7. Sustainable finance now spans multiple sectors
The island’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond funds to include fiduciary services, insurance, pensions and banking. Guernsey’s financial services strategy supports climate-conscious investment with an emphasis on credibility, not branding.
8. The insurance sector includes captives and ILS structures
Guernsey continues to lead in captive insurance, with more than 40 per cent of FTSE 100 companies choosing to domicile their captives on the island. In fact, the first captive was established on the island over 100 years ago, clearly highlighting innovation and longevity in financial services.
9. Professional services are tailored and internationally focused
Guernsey’s pensions and banking sectors support cross-border clients, particularly high-net-worth individuals and international businesses. Services are backed by an experienced and internationally trained professional community that understands complex client needs across jurisdictions.
10. Location and lifestyle enhance the jurisdiction’s global appeal
Located in the English Channel, Guernsey offers both proximity to major financial centres and a lifestyle that supports long-term careers. Clients benefit from global connectivity and high-quality service, while professionals working on the island enjoy a more balanced pace of life, clean beaches, and short commutes, all of which contribute to continuity and strong institutional relationships.
Further Information
Produced with support from Guernsey Finance. For further information about Guernsey’s financial services and global offering, visit www.guernseyfinance.com
