Removals to The Channel Islands
The Channel Islands have long been a favoured destination for British Expats, and over the last forty years Britannia Leatherbarrows has built up a huge wealth of experience in moving people to Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark.
Britannia Leatherbarrows offers two options for people moving to the Channel Islands.
Removals By Road Service
The Road Service involves a vehicle being loaded at your home in the UK and then boarding a ferry to transport your goods directly to your new home.
Shipping Service
The Shipping Service is by far the more popular and most cost-effective option. It involves your goods being loaded into a shipping container and delivered to the docks, where the container will be placed on a vessel and shipped to the Channel Islands. At the other end, the goods will be collected by one of our trusted local partner companies, who will handle the delivery to your property.
The specialist team at Britannia Leatherbarrows can advise you on the best method of moving to the Channel Islands depending on your budget, timescales, and the nature of the goods in your consignment. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information or to get a quote for your move.
Living in the Channel Islands
Located in the English Channel just off the north west coast of France, the Channel Islands is an archipelago of seven inhabited islands home to around 170,000 people. They are divided into two Crown Dependencies – the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey – both of which have their own laws and governing bodies. Both Bailiwicks issue their own currency which circulates across the Channel Islands alongside English and Scottish coins and banknotes, which are all accepted. The islands are not part of the UK, but Channel Islands inhabitants are British Citizens, and you don’t need a passport to go there if you are a UK national.
Jersey and Guernsey are the largest of the Channel Islands, with 99% of the population living there. They are famed for their golden sandy beaches, great climate and high-quality agricultural produce, especially potatoes, milk and cream. English is the main language, but French is also widely spoken, and French influence is also felt strongly in the islands’ cuisine with fantastic food available everywhere from cafes to fine dining restaurants.
With Jersey measuring just 46 square miles and Guernsey around half that size, the choice of shops and supermarkets is understandably limited. However, there is a good range of independent retailers on both islands.
The Channel Islands offer a laidback lifestyle with good work / life balance and a strong feeling of community. They enjoy a level of affluence across the population which is generally higher than in the UK, and taxation is low. Many people living in the islands enjoy outdoor sports, including sailing, surfing, hiking, and horse riding, no doubt encouraged by the good weather and beautiful coasts and countryside. With fantastic opportunities for leisure pursuits and a low crime rate, the Channel Islands are a great place to raise a family.
Employment and cost of living
The main industries in the Channel Islands are offshore finance, tourism, and agriculture. The relatively low taxation rates have encouraged the financial services sector to boom in Jersey and Guernsey, creating lots of skilled jobs. Indeed, Jersey still has a growing population whilst the number of people living in Guernsey has now stabilised.
The Channel Islands boast very low levels of taxation, with a maximum personal tax rate of 20% and absolutely no capital gains tax or inheritance tax. GST is typically 0-5%, and corporate taxes are also very low but vary for different industries. This makes it an attractive place to live for high net worth individuals.
The cost of living on the islands is comparable to central London. Petrol and diesel are expensive, as is power generally, because it all has to be imported. National Insurance contributions do not have to be paid on earnings in the Channel Islands, but it should be made clear that there is no NHS there either, therefore many elements of healthcare are chargeable.
Property in the Channel Islands
The availability of property in the Channel Islands is to some extent controlled by the Bailiwicks, and there are different rules for each. If you are relocating for a job, lots of companies will help you to source accommodation, putting you in touch with helpful local estate agents and letting you know about the regulations.
If you want to live in Guernsey and you are a British or Irish passport holder, you will need to rent or purchase an ‘Open Market’ property, and this will give you the right to work locally. The supply of these properties is very limited, and they are expensive. An alternative route is to obtain an ‘essential employee license’, which would give you access to the ‘Local Market’ housing stock. The ‘Local Market’ makes up the majority of the properties on the island, and these tend to be higher quality and more affordable.
In Jersey, properties for sale or rent are split into ‘qualified’ and ‘non-qualified’ homes. The latter make up a tiny proportion of the market, but there are no criteria if you want to live in one of these. To access the ‘qualified’ property market, the main ways are to have either ‘Licensed’ or ‘Entitled’ status. You can become licensed if the company hiring you is able to prove that you are an essential employee, and after living in Jersey for 10 years you become ‘entitled’.
Alternatively, you can apply to live in the Channel Islands as a high net worth individual, which carries different rules.
Schools in the Channel Islands
The school system in the Channel Islands is similar to the UK, although as well as non-fee-paying state schools and fee-paying private schools, there is also a third category in Jersey – fee-paying government schools, which are partly state-funded.
There is a good selection of schools on both Jersey and Guernsey at primary and secondary level. They all follow a similar curriculum to UK schools, they are subject to OFSTED inspections, and they deliver superb educational standards.
It is possible to continue your education up to degree level on the Channel Islands, but in practice most students pursue their higher education choices off island.
The Channel Islands Climate
The climate in the Channel Islands is similar to that in the south of England, albeit a little warmer and sunnier thanks to its more southerly location. Jersey is usually slightly hotter in the summer months, whereas Guernsey enjoys milder winters. Most of the rainfall is in the autumn and winter, with July and August being the warmest months.
Transport Links in the Channel Islands
There is no need to feel isolated in the Channel Islands, with an impressive infrastructure of ferries and flights providing essential links to the UK and France as well as neighbouring islands. There are regular flights from both Jersey and Guernsey to a surprising number of UK regional airports as well a good selection of European cities. Airlines serving the Channel Islands include British Airways, EasyJet, and Flybe, Aurigny and Blue Islands.
Ferries connect the Channel Islands with the UK via Poole and Portsmouth, and also with St. Malo in France. The ferry services are frequent, and provide both passenger and vehicle transport options.
Driving on the islands is straightforward, with well-maintained roads and clear signage. They drive on the left, just like in the UK, and the maximum speed limit is 40mph. Both Jersey and Guernsey also have an extensive bus network connecting most parts of the islands including all the major towns and attractions.
Wherever in the Channel Islands you are heading to, you can trust the expert team at Britannia Leatherbarrows with your relocation. Contact us today on 01202 355427 or email sales@leatherbarrows.co.uk.
