10 Things to do in your first month after relocating to Guernsey
Your first month in your new home is an important time. You start to feel settled in your new home, make new friends and acquaintances, and get the final admin jobs out of the way that couldn't be sorted before your move.
For those new to the island, Locate Guernsey is on hand to help make that first month as stress-free as possible so you can quickly get to know and enjoy your new home. Here's our 10 suggestions of things to do in your first month in Guernsey.
1. Get to know your local area
Scoping out your surroundings is part of feeling more at home in a new place. If you had a favourite coffee shop, cosy pub you frequented on a Friday night or your favourite takeaway where you previously lived, it's a good idea to scope out your new 'locals' here in Guernsey. We have many lovely places to explore, and the beauty of living on an island is that they're usually not far away!
Making a little time to nip out for a morning coffee or an evening drink is a great way to rest from the unpacking and see a little of your surrounding area. You'll find that you quickly get to know the other customers, and they will soon share their local tips and suggestions for where to go and see on the island.
A full list of restaurants, cafés and eateries is available here:
Restaurants, Bars & Cafés in Guernsey
2. Register with the authorities
Now that you've arrived, you’ll have already registered with Population Management for your Permit/Certificate, but you will also need to register with Revenue Services for both income tax and social security. Further information about registering can be found on the practicalities of relocating to Guernsey.
Once registered, you will receive your income tax and social security number (GY number) in the mail.
Locate Guernsey can assist with any questions about tax and social security in Guernsey.
3. Register with a doctor
Once you’ve received your social security number, you can register with a Doctor’s Surgery (GP). We have three GP practices in Guernsey, and each has multiple surgeries, so it's your personal choice which one you go with. Once you are registered with a practice, though, you can move between surgeries if there's a specific doctor you would like to see.
The GP practices are:
There is no requirement to take out medical insurance in Guernsey, but some individuals decide to take out 'top-up' medical insurance to cover themselves for the patient-paid elements (called Primary Care) of our healthcare system (GP, A&E, Ambulance), while others may hold full private medical insurance.
Locate Guernsey can assist with any questions you may have about health insurance.
Visit our website for a full overview of the Healthcare system in Guernsey
4. Advise banking providers of your new address
If you are making a permanent move to the island, you should advise banks and credit card companies of your new address so they can send you any relevant correspondence. Setting up a Guernsey bank account may also be helpful so you have a provider to speak with on the island. Locate Guernsey can provide a list of on-island banking contacts.
5. Get a Guernsey SIM card
There is no requirement to have a Guernsey sim card, but there are benefits such as competitive local rates for data and calls, immediate support if you encounter any issues and no roaming charges. We have three mobile network providers in Guernsey: Sure, JT and Airtel Vodafone. It’s worth contacting each to see what packages they can offer you:
- Sure - Sure Guernsey
- JT - JT Guernsey
- Airtel-Vodafone - Airtel-Vodafone
It isn't possible to port your existing off-island number to a Guernsey provider, so you may want to keep your existing SIM card or look into an eSim.
6. Get your new home connected
You will also need to contact the relevant providers for energy and water supply:
- Water - we only have one supplier (Guernsey Water), so you will need to contact them to advise them you have taken over the property, and they will send out a new agreement for you to sign.
- Electricity - we only have one supplier, which is Guernsey Electricity.
- Gas - the gas supplier is Guernsey Energy, but unless you live in St Peter Port, it is likely that any gas to your property will be bottled gas LPG). Check out the Guernsey Energy website for further details.
- Oil heating - If your property is heated by oil, it would be advisable to check who the previous supplier is. You may wish to consult other suppliers to compare prices, but get a contract set up quickly. Locate Guernsey can provide you with a list of oil suppliers.
- Sewage - If your property is not on the main drains, you will need to set up a contract with the Wastewater services. It is advisable to check how frequently the previous occupier of your property had the tank emptied so you can set up a similar pattern, but do be conscious of how many people live in the property
7. TV Licence
You must have a UK TV licence if you watch live TV on any device.
If you are moving from the UK, you can change your current TV licence address or set up a new licence.
8. Re-register any motor vehicles
If you’ve moved to the island with vehicles, you must re-register these within two weeks of residency. Further information about re-registering a car can be found here: Buying & Selling a vehicle in Guernsey.
Once you know your Guernsey registration number, you will also need to set up a local insurance policy. Even the cheapest online UK-based insurance policies tend to be more expensive than any policy in Guernsey because the local insurers understand the risk level (or rather the lack of risk).
9. Exchange your driving licence
It’s also a good idea to exchange your existing driving licence for a Guernsey driving licence. This must be done within 12 months of arriving on the island, but it's sensible to get this sorted while it's fresh in your mind, as failure to do this could mean you have to re-take your driving test!
A list of countries eligible for exchange and further information about the exchange process can be found here: Exchanging your licence.
10. Get out there and enjoy Guernsey!
It is important to take time to settle in and establish your network. Embracing a new hobby or joining a social group can be a quick and easy way to get to know the island and make new friends. For entrepreneurs and business owners, joining a local business group such as the Chamber of Commerce or Institute of Directors can help you make valuable professional contacts.
Here at Locate Guernsey, we have the great honour of promoting this special island as a destination for business and personal relocation. We provide support throughout your relocation and help you settle into the community.
Our website is regularly updated with inspiration, guides, and tips for your new island life, and the team is available to answer any questions you may have about the island.
If you are considering relocating to the island, the team at Locate Guernsey are on hand to provide confidential guidance throughout your relocation journey free of charge. If you would like to understand how Guernsey could work for you, please get in touch:
