Moving to Jersey from The UK

The largest of the Channel Islands, Jersey is situated just off the coast of north-west France. Touted as the ‘sunniest place in the British Isles’, Jersey boasts 342 more hours of sunshine than any other place in the United Kingdom.

If you are considering making the move from the United Kingdom to Jersey, this guide will tell you everything you need to know – from visa requirements to cost of living differences; healthcare top tips to rules about moving country with your pets – helping you to feel empowered when the time comes to make the big move.

Quick Jersey Facts:

Population: 103,200 (2022 estimate)
Official Language: English (de facto)
GDP Per Capita: £55,910 (2022 estimate)
Random Fact: On the south coast of Jersey, the tide is said to rush ‘faster than a running horse’, and is home to one of the largest tides in the world
Currency: Pound sterling, as well as the Jersey pound (£). As of 2024, £1 = $1.30, €1 = £1.19, $1 CAD = $1.78, $1 AUD = $1.93

Sections

1. Moving Costs to Jersey from the UK

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from some of the largest cities in the UK and around the world and shipping it to Jersey:

Origin City	20FT	40FT
Birmingham	£870 - £970	£1,520 - £1,620
Bristol	£920 - £1,020	£1,620 - £1,720
Glasgow	£970 - £1,070	£1,720 - £1,820
Leeds	£950 - £1,050	£1,670 - £1,770
Liverpool	£940 - £1,040	£1,650 - £1,750
London	£1,070 - £1,170	£1,820 - £1,920
Manchester	£930 - £1,030	£1,640 - £1,740
Newcastle	£910 - £1,010	£1,600 - £1,700
Sheffield	£900 - £1,000	£1,580 - £1,680
Southampton	£890 - £990	£1,560 - £1,660

All figures are in GBP;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (July 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from either Freightos, iContainers, or SeaRates;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. How Long Does It Take To Move to Jersey from the United Kingdom?

It’s a quick journey to Jersey from the United Kingdom – around one hour in most cases! Let’s take a look at some of the common terminals and their associated flight times.

London Heathrow to Jersey – 1 hour – £85
London Gatwick to Jersey – 1 hour – £40
Luton to Jersey – 1 hour – £45
Edinburgh to Jersey – 3 hours, 30 minutes (connecting flight) – £100

This duration covers the flight time only, so additional time will need to be added to get you from the terminal to your final location.

3. Moving Restrictions to Jersey from the UK

Moving to Jersey is fairly simple – as long as you’re a legal resident of the UK, travelling in line with your immigration permissions, you as an individual and your family won’t need a separate visa to get into Jersey. This will of course change if you are coming from a different country.

Gov.je says that you won’t need immigration permission if you are:

A British or Irish citizen with the right of abode
An EU/EEA passport holder with settled or pre-settled status
A family member of an EU/EEA passport holder with settled or pre-settled status

British and Irish citizens won’t need to apply for a work permit to have employment in Jersey, but in some cases, your prospective employer will need to apply for a permit or license on your behalf, especially if you are travelling to Jersey from outside of the UK.

There are fewer restrictions on moving pets as in other countries if you are already a UK resident. There are of course restrictions on items, such as prohibited and illegal items, which we will cover in the following sections.

4. Visa Requirements to Jersey from the UK

As we’ve already mentioned, there are no visa requirements for UK citizens entering Jersey. Gov.je says that ‘as long as you’re legally in the UK and travelling according to your immigration permissions, you and your family won’t need a separate visa to travel to Jersey’ – however, if you are travelling from outside of the UK into Jersey, you will need a valid visa.

Jersey doesn’t have an embassy or consulate on the island, so if you need any advice or guidance your closest location would be in London – meaning if you lose your passport on the island, this is your destination for a replacement.

In all cases, you need to speak to a visa specialist to advise you on your individual circumstances and always keep up to date with the latest changes in the rules.

5. Cost of Living Differences in Jersey

While this article is covering Jersey as a whole, house prices will obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.

As a general note, it is estimated that the cost of living in Jersey is 0.7% higher than that of the United Kingdom, with rent being around 25% lower.

Monthly Rental Prices in Jersey:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: £1,480+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: £1,400+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: £2,600+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: £2,500+

Jersey Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: £7,900+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: £7,800+

Source: Numbeo

6. Tax Treaties in Jersey

Jersey has a double taxation agreement in force, which was signed and agreed in December 2018. This has taken effect in Jersey and the UK since February 2019 for taxes withheld at source, as well as income tax.

This means that if a company is considered a resident in both territories, the relevant authorities will determine the residence through ‘mutual agreement’. The double taxation relief works with the credit method being generally applied, with exemptions perhaps applying to dividends and profits of a permanent establishment if certain conditions are met.

There is no VAT (value-added tax) in Jersey. For full information on the tax treaty, take a look at Orbitax’s guidelines.

7. Working Rules in Jersey

If you are a British and Irish citizen, you will not need a work permit to work in Jersey. You will only need a work permit if you are travelling from a different country, in which case a work permit will need to be applied for on your behalf from your prospective employer.

However, if you run a business outside of Jersey and want to come and work on the island, you must have a non-resident business licence in place before you travel to the island for work.

For full information on your rights and necessary rules on working in Jersey as a UK citizen, take a look at Gov.je.

Whatever your employment circumstances, it’s important to get up to speed with taxes and any beneficial programs, such as healthcare schemes, so that you are completely clued up on your rights.

8. Healthcare in Jersey

Jersey’s healthcare system isn’t part of the National Health Service (NHS), which means it operates in a different way and has different rules when compared to the UK’s system.

In Jersey, you will need to pay for your healthcare services for an initial period. This includes:

GP visits
Non-emergency hospital treatments
Prescriptions
Dental treatments

You won’t be required to pay for emergency treatments in the hospital, but if you are admitted to the hospital, you’ll need to pay for your time there and any associated treatments.

After your first six months on the island, you can apply for a health card – this will lower the amount you’ll need to pay for GP appointments and will allow you free prescriptions. But this card will only adjust costs for GP/prescriptions, and won’t affect the costs of healthcare in hospitals or other facilities.

If you are moving to Jersey and have pre-existing health conditions, it’s worthwhile understanding the terms before moving to figure out the best route for care, and if that includes private healthcare.

9. Rules Around Moving With Pets in Jersey

Moving house includes lots of boxes of belongings – but it can also include some particularly important furry friends, too! If you need to move to Jersey with a pet in tow, here’s what you need to know.

There are no official health requirements for pet dogs, cats or ferrets travelling between Jersey and the UK, Isle of Man and other Channel Islands, according to Gov.je. Your pet won’t need a pet passport or other documentation to move, but if it has travelled into the UK from another country it will need to prove legality in this initial movement.

There aren’t any vaccination requirements, but you should speak to your vet to ensure your pet

is well enough to travel safely. It’s a good idea to have pets microchipped for their safety before travelling with them to Jersey from the UK.

10. Similar Cities

When looking for places similar to Jersey, you can draw comparisons between the Isle of Man and Guernsey as they are both islands surrounding the UK. While they are not entities of the UK, they are closely associated with a constitutional relationship.

All three areas have small populations, with distinct local cultures. They have scenic landscapes and shores owing to their island formation.

Jersey, the Isle of Man and Guernsey all have their own governments and legal systems, but they all rely on the UK for matters of defence and international representation. They are all good spots to live for those wanting a taste of British culture with the unique individuality of island life.

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to Jersey from the UK

Perhaps you’re moving for a new job opportunity, or just want to try out a completely different country and climate – whatever your reason for wanting to move from the UK to Jersey, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.

Advantages of Moving from the UK to Jersey	Disadvantages of Moving from the UK to Jersey
Scenic Beauty and Quality of Life: Jersey offers picturesque landscapes, beaches, and a generally high quality of life, providing a more relaxed environment compared to larger urban areas in the UK	Limited Career Opportunities: While there are job opportunities, the job market in Jersey may be smaller and more specialised, potentially limiting career options for some professionals
Tax Benefits: Jersey is known for its favourable tax regime, which may include lower income tax rates and no value-added tax (VAT) on goods and services, providing potential financial benefits for residents	Relatively Higher Living Costs: The cost of living in Jersey can be higher than in some parts of the UK, particularly in terms of housing and daily expenses
Cultural Blend: Jersey has a unique cultural blend, influenced by its historical ties with France and England	Limited Educational Institutions: While there are schools and educational facilities, the options for higher education may be more limited compared to larger cities in the UK
Community Atmosphere: Jersey has a close-knit community feel, and residents often enjoy a sense of belonging and familiarity, creating a supportive and friendly environment	Small Land Size: Jersey is a small island, which may result in a sense of geographical limitation. Travel options to other locations may be more limited compared to mainland UK

Whatever you decide, it’s important that you understand the legal factors affecting your move – be sure to visit Gov.je for all the information you need.