Guernsey is a Crown Dependency and established funds, holding, and family-office centre, with companies registered by the Guernsey Registry under the Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008 and finance activity supervised by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission ("GFSC"). It is distinctive for a tax-neutral 0% standard rate, no VAT, and same-day incorporation.
Most founders use the company limited by shares (private) under the Companies (Guernsey) Law 2008. Alternatives include the public company, the protected and incorporated cell companies (PCC/ICC), the foundation, and limited partnerships.
There is no minimum capital (a single share on formation suffices), and at least one director is required with no residency requirement, but the company must at all times have a resident agent (either a Guernsey-resident director or a licensed corporate services provider), and incorporation is carried out by a Guernsey-regulated provider. A registered office in Guernsey is required. Incorporation through the Guernsey Registry is usually completed within 24 hours, with a same-day fast-track option.
The Revenue Service applies corporate income tax of 0% for most companies, 10% for certain financial-services businesses (banking, insurance, custody, fund administration, fiduciary, investment exchange), and 20% for utilities, Guernsey property income, and large retail; a 15% Pillar Two top-up applies to large MNE groups from 2025. There is no VAT/GST, no capital gains tax, and no withholding tax. Beneficial owners are filed to a non-public register maintained by the Registry.