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 Frequently asked questions

  • The Guernsey Registry requires a licensed Corporate Services Provider (CSP) to incorporate a company. Individuals cannot complete this process directly. This ensures that all new companies meet regulatory standards and that proper checks are in place to protect the jurisdiction’s reputation.

  • The Guernsey Registry requires a licensed Corporate Services Provider (CSP) to incorporate a company. A CSP ensures that your company is set up efficiently and compliantly under Guernsey law. We liaise with the Guernsey Registry on your behalf.

  • With a Company in a Box service, everything is bundled in one package.

    Benefits include:

    • Fast-track incorporation (same-day registration possible).

    • Transparent, standardised pricing with no hidden extras.

  • Any Guernsey resident looking to incorporate their own company

  • A typical Company in a Box package includes:

    • Certificate of Incorporation.

    • Standard Articles of Incorporation.

    • Initial director and shareholder appointments.

  • If you think that you, or any of your immediate family members or close business associates, would be regarded as a PEP, MEP or CEP , please advise us accordingly, and provide the relevant details, when completing the online questionnaire.

    PEP  -  Politically Exposed Person

    A PEP is person who is, or has been at any time, entrusted with a prominent public function, whether within the Bailiwick of Guernsey, in another country or territory, or through an international organisation. PEPs are considered higher risk for financial crime exposure due to their position, influence, and access to power or public funds.

    This includes, but is not limited to:

    • Domestic PEPs: Individuals holding (or having held) senior public roles in Guernsey, Alderney, or Sark, such as senior politicians, senior government or public officials, senior members of the judiciary or law officers, or senior executives of state-owned bodies (e.g., Guernsey Post, Aurigny). A list of the specific roles that would make an individual a domestic PEP can be provided on request.

    • Foreign PEPs: Individuals holding (or having held) prominent public functions in another country or territory, such as heads of state or government, senior politicians or political party officials, senior government officials, senior members of the judiciary, senior military officers, and senior executives of state-owned enterprises.

    • International Organisation PEPs: Individuals entrusted with a prominent function by an international organisation established under treaty between member states, recognised by law in its member states, and not treated as a resident unit of any single country. Examples include the United Nations, NATO, and the European Union.

    MEP - Materially Exposed Person

    An individual with significant media exposure that means they are exposed to increased levels of bribery and corruption risk.

    Examples include:

    • Titled individuals or royalty who are of interest to the mass media but not in positions of political power (remember that UK peers may sit in the House of Lords and would therefore be a PEP rather than a MEP)

    • Owners, controllers or influencers of mass media (television, radio, newspaper, magazine, social online media such as Facebook etc.)

    • Recognisable presenters of mass media, television “talking heads”, radio interviewers, famous-name bloggers.

    • Celebrities, sportspersons and instantly recognisable individuals who would be of interest to the media if there were a suggestion of scandal

    CEP - Commercially Exposed Person

    A CEP is an individual who is so wealthy that they exercise significant power without being a PEP typically due to their business activities, corporate control, or financial dealings.

    Examples include owners or directors of very large businesses.

  • Under Guernsey company law, every company is, by default, required to prepare audited financial statements each year and to hold an Annual General Meeting (“AGM”). However, the law allows shareholders to formally waive these requirements if they are not needed.

    • Audit Waiver – By passing an audit waiver resolution, a company can dispense with the obligation to have its annual accounts audited. This is often useful for small or closely-held companies where a full audit would be disproportionate, costly, or unnecessary, provided that shareholders are comfortable relying on unaudited accounts.

    • AGM Waiver – By passing an AGM waiver resoluiton, the company is not obliged to hold an annual meeting of its shareholders. This is particularly helpful for companies with a small number of shareholders, where formal meetings would add little value. Instead, decisions can be taken in writing by shareholder resolution.

    Adopting these waivers helps reduce administrative burdens and costs, while still keeping the company compliant with Guernsey law. Many privately-owned or family companies choose to take advantage of these waivers for efficiency, reserving audits or meetings for situations where they provide genuine benefit (such as external investor involvement or regulatory requirements).

  • After incorporation, Artemis will have no further involvement with your company. You will be responsible for ensuring that the company’s details are kept up to date on the Guernsey Registry and for making any mandatory filings, including annual validations, director and beneficial owner changes, special resolutions, and registered office changes.

    In order to take on authorised filer status for your company you will need to complete the following filing: Authorised Filer Declaration once completed this will need to be filed using the ‘New Filing’ – ‘Authorised Filer’ submission.

    Further guidance for making the submission can be found here: Registry Guidance

  • In Guernsey, when setting up a company you can choose between par value shares and no par value shares. Par value shares have a fixed face value (for example, £1 per share) which is shown in the company’s records. No par value shares don’t have this fixed amount, which gives the company more flexibility when issuing shares and setting prices. Some people prefer par value shares because they look more traditional, while others choose no par value shares for the flexibility they offer when bringing in investors.

  • When you incorporate a company in Guernsey, you can choose to set a maximum number of authorised shares or make the authorised shares unlimited. Setting a maximum number can provide structure and control, for example, to show investors how many shares exist in total, or to ensure that new shares cannot be issued without shareholder approval. On the other hand, choosing unlimited authorised shares offers maximum flexibility, as the company can issue as many shares as needed in the future without going back to amend its incorporation documents. Many companies now opt for unlimited authorised shares to avoid extra paperwork and costs down the line, but some prefer a cap to keep tighter oversight on ownership and dilution.

  • Should you require assistance with company administration or wish to have a CSP administer your company on your behalf please contact  https://www.artemisci.com/contact/