Essentials
- City
- St. Sampson, Guernsey, Channel Islands (British Crown Dependency)
- Population
- Approx. 9,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 60-100 Mbps (Sure Guernsey offers high-speed fiber across most of the parish)
- Currency & Banking
- Guernsey Pound (GGP) and British Pound (GBP) are 1:1. 1 GBP ≈ 1.25 USD
- Tap Water
- Drinkable (Managed by Guernsey Water)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type G sockets (UK standard)
- SIM Card
- Sure Guernsey or JT Global. Local SIM approx. £10-£20 for data bundles
- Banking for Expats
- HSBC, Lloyds, and Barclays have branches. Revolut/Wise work but are not local banks
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, local rental agents like Swoffers or Martel Maides
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards and Apple/Google Pay accepted in almost all shops and pubs
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Self-catering cottages (e.g., Le Bordage) starting at £120/night
- Budget Accommodation
- Limited; The Yacht Inn (St. Peter Port) or local B&Bs from £80/night
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- The Bridge (Harbor area) for proximity to shops and the marina
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- L'Islet or South St. Sampson for a mix of residential quiet and beach access
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Digital Greenhouse (Market St, St Peter Port - 10 min drive) from £20/day
- Best Cafe for Work
- Caffe Nero (The Bridge) or Muse (North Side/Grand Arches)
- Networking Events
- Startup Guernsey events and Digital Greenhouse community meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- Guernsey Expats Facebook Group and events at The South Side Chalet
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt; use Guernsey Taxi App or call Island Taxis (+44 1481 700500)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Adventure Cycles (L'Islet) - approx. £20/day for bike hire
- Best Beach Nearby
- L'Ancresse Bay/Pembroke Beach (5 mins drive from St. Sampson center)
- Top Regional Airline
- Aurigny (Guernsey's national airline reaching UK and France)
- Top International Airline
- Blue Islands (connecting to major UK hubs for international transfers)
- Highway Access
- A10 and A11 connect St. Sampson to St. Peter Port and the North
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- No trains; The Bridge is the main bus hub for lines 11, 12, 13, and 91/92
- Public Transport Passes
- PuffinPass (Contactless) - £1.25 per flat-fare journey
- Regional Travel
- Condor Ferries to Jersey (£35+) and Saint-Malo, France (£45+)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Princess Elizabeth Hospital (Le Vauquiedor, St. Andrew's - 15 min drive)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Studio (Grandes Maisons Road) - £12 per drop-in class
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Marina Health & Leisure (The Bridge) - memberships from £55/month
- Laundry Services
- The Bridge Launderette (The Bridge, St. Sampson)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Food.gg (Local Guernsey delivery platform)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Guernsey Bean Jar (slow-cooked bean stew) or Guernsey Gâche (fruit bread)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- The Bridge Sandwich Bar (offers plant-based specials)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Tia’s (The Bridge) for cakes and local Guernsey ice cream
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Waitrose (Admiral Park) and Marks & Spencer Foodhall (The Bridge)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.co.uk (No VAT applied to Guernsey deliveries)
- Grocery Delivery
- Waitrose.com or local Co-op delivery
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Bridge (The London Inn, The Pony Inn)
- Local Brewery
- Little Beer Corporation (beers often served at The Cock & Bull)
- Wine Bars
- Rouge (St. Peter Port - 10 min drive) for fine wines and charcuterie
- Street Food Stalls
- Fresh food vans often parked at L'Ancresse common near the kiosks
- Popular International Cuisine
- Houligans (Steakhouse/International) and various curry houses on North Side
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The Bridge (Industrial Port), Vale Castle (on the border of St. Sampson)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Guernsey Museum at Candie Gardens (Nearby in St. Peter Port)
- Historical Sites
- German Naval Signals HQ (Historical WWII site nearby)
- Religious Sites
- St. Sampson's Parish Church (Oldest parish church in Guernsey)
- Annual Events
- The North Show (August) at Saumarez Park
- Cultural Districts
- The Bridge (Maritime and mercantile history)
- Theater Venues
- Beau Sejour Leisure Centre (nearby hosting live performances)
- Local Markets
- Fresh Produce Hedges (Honesty Boxes) found on rural St. Sampson lanes
- Music Scene
- Live local bands at The Thomas De La Rue (10 min drive)
- Street Art
- Silo murals occasionally commissioned near the harbor
- Cooking Classes
- Cookery classes sporadically held at the Digital Greenhouse
- Art Galleries
- Coach House Gallery (Les Islets) - Features local artists
- Historic Buildings
- Vale Castle (15th-century origins overlooking the harbor)
- Local Heritage
- The Golden Post Box (commemorating Olympic wins) in St. Peter Port
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- L'Ancresse Common - massive grassy dunes and coastal walks
- National Parks Nearby
- Cliffs of South Coast (15 min drive) - protected scenic areas
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Coastal Path leading from St. Sampson to Bordeaux Harbor
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Delancey Park - offering views over the Little Russel and Herm Island
- Birdwatching Locations
- Grand Havre Bay and Bordeaux Harbor wetlands
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Allowed on West Coast beaches with a permit from the constables
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Guernsey Post (Envoy House HQ is located in St. Sampson)
- Tech Repair Services
- Resolution IT or iRepair Guernsey
- Table Tennis Spots
- Guernsey Table Tennis Centre (Hougue du Pommier, Vale - 8 min drive)
- Language Classes
- Guernsey College of Further Education
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Guille-Allès Library (St. Peter Port - 10 min drive)
- Community Centers
- St Sampson's Douzaine Room
- Gaming Lounges
- Just Games (St. Peter Port) for tabletop gaming
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Restricted by local laws; local betting shops available (Ladbrokes)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. £8,500 per m² (£340,000 for 40 m² Local Market)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. £7,000 per m² (£280,000 for 40 m² Local Market)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. £7,500 per m² (£450,000 for 60 m² Local Market)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. £6,500 per m² (£390,000 for 60 m² Local Market)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. £7,000 per m² (£560,000 for 80 m² Local Market)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. £6,000 per m² (£480,000 for 80 m² Local Market)
- Corporate Tax
- 0% standard rate (10% for certain financial services, 20% for utility/rentals)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% for non-residents
- Tax System
- Territorial/Residence based; No CGT, No Inheritance Tax
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- Flat rate of 20% after personal allowance (£13,900)
- VAT
- 0% (No Value Added Tax in Guernsey)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Economic Substance Requirements apply for relevant activities
- Property Tax
- TRP (Tax on Real Property) based on size and use; relatively low
- Property Transaction Tax
- Document Duty - tiered from 2% to 4%+ based on purchase price
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Excellent; no VAT and 20% flat income tax make it a high-income haven