Open a Holding Company in Guernsey

To set up a holding company in Guernsey investors have to choose a suitable business form and complete the registration process with the authorities.

The holding company is a legal entity used to acquire and hold shares in other businesses. It does not engage in various economic activities or trading. When set up in Guernsey or Jersey, it can offer certain advantages.

Our experts in company formation in Guernsey can give you complete information and assist you as needed, once you decide to register a holding company in this jurisdiction. In case you want to open a company in Jersey, our team can also help you in this matter.

Holding company characteristics

A holding company is a legal company incorporated for the purpose of controlling subsidiaries. It does this by holding the majority stock in one or more corporations. In this sense, the holding company itself is not a provider of various goods or services.

Investors who open a holding company in Guernsey can do so for the purpose of controlling other businesses – whether located in Guernsey or Jersey, in Europe or in other jurisdictions.  The manner in which this legal entity is structured is decided by its founders and their specific business needs in terms of owning and controlling stock in other companies.

Guernsey imposes the following taxation regime for corporations:

• 0% standard rate (since 2025, groups with revenue of €750 million or more are subject to a 15% Pillar Two top-up tax);
• 10% rate for banking and fiduciary companies, as well as other service providers;
• 20% rate for companies that import/supply gas, those that own Guernsey land and buildings, those that make rental income and in other cases.

Depending on the exact activities, investors that set up a holding company in Guernsey may be subject to the advantageous standard rate.

How to set up a holding company in Guernsey

The steps required to open a holding company in Guernsey are the same as for a legal entity or those to open a company in Jersey.

A first and essential step is to determine the holding company’s structure. There are several types of legal entities available for incorporation in Guernsey, and the corporation (as opposed to the partnership, for example) is used by investors who will structure a holding.

The types of companies that can be incorporated in Guernsey are the following:

• Protected cell company;
• Incorporated cell company;
• Company limited by shares or limited by guarantee;
• Unlimited liability company;
• Mixed liability company.

These business forms have unique characteristics and advantages. For those interested in company formation in Guernsey, our team specializing in company creation is ready to assist you in choosing a suitable structure if you want to open a holding company in Guernsey.

We list some of the most important stages for company formation in Jersey and Guernsey below:

1. Choose the business form;
2. Prepare the company documents with the assistance of a corporate service provider and open a bank account;
3. Appoint a resident agent (unless exempted);
4. Submit an application for registration to the Guernsey Registry.

Using a corporate service provider (CSP) is mandatory and our team can give you more information about how we can assist you with this.

The use of a registered agent is also essential for many investors who do business in Guernsey. This agent will have certain obligations towards the good functioning of the company, including those that are related to filing the mandatory information in the register of beneficial ownership or legal persons. Entrepreneurs should note that the details provided for this register are not publicly available but can be disclosed to the authorities.

Our team specializes not only in Jersey and Guernsey company creation, but we can also help you set up a trust in Jersey or answer questions on how to immigrate to Jersey.

Contact our team as soon as you require assistance or more information about how to open a holding company in Guernsey.