Digital nomadism is rising at an exponential rate, with approximately 35 million digital nomads worldwide as of 2024. Estonia launched the first digital nomad visa in 2020 back when there were an estimated 5 million digital nomads dotted across the globe. Now, digital nomad empires are rising and falling at a rate quicker than I can knock out blog posts.
In the last few weeks alone, Barcelona announced banning short-term rentals (e.g., Airbnbs) by 2028, Portugal made announcements to seriously curtail a number of their visa options, and on the flip side, Thailand announced the most generous visa we’ve seen yet, which can allow up to five years of residence, with some minor caveats. And we’re due visas from the Philippines, Taiwan, Peru, and potentially New Zealand, too.
Why Guernsey?
Now, for those of you familiar with the economic landscape of the Bailiwick, you’re probably reading this thinking, not a chance in hell.
And you’re probably right.
But hey, if the islands’ greatest minds can wax lyrical about a billion-pound tunnel to France, I can get on my soapbox and talk about something that could:
- Actually bring economically active people to Guernsey. Not retired, tax-dodging millionaires that are pricing out everybody under 40.
- Revitalise our derelict hotels without impacting the local housing market.
- And temporarily reduce Guernsey’s average age, which I’m convinced sits at around 83.
The beauty of digital nomad visas is that there isn’t some rigid international standard they have to adhere to; we can write our own rules, within reason. But before we dig in, why Guernsey? Who do I think the target market is going to be?
When you think of digital nomads, you’re probably thinking of that LinkedIn influencer that sells personal branding eBooks out of Bali, that has barely two pennies to rub together. But actually, the average digital nomad is:
- 36 years old
- Works in tech or creative
- With an annual income of £78,000
I think that’s a pie that Guernsey (and its sister islands) would very much like a slice of.
So what makes us so unique? We’re right next to the UK, with all the right connections, laws, and policies that, for the most part, will keep UK HR professionals nice and happy. Imagine being able to comfortably grant a remote working request that’s a 45-minute flight away, speaks English, is surrounded by beaches, has a high standard of healthcare, and EU GDPR adequacy, among many other things. I can hear the HR squeals of glee from here.
What Are the Problems/Roadblocks?
Where on earth are we going to put them.
Building something new on a small island that’s experiencing a housing crisis (that will probably never end) is 1) never going to get passed and 2) counter-productive to the success of the island’s economy.
But guess what we’ve got loads of? Derelict hotels. And with the way that our island’s tourist industry has been going for a long time, we won’t run out any time soon. Le Chalet Hotel, L’Eree Bay Hotel, and Idlerocks Hotel are all prime examples, you could even bring Fort Tourgis in Alderney back into the discussion. By repurposing these buildings, we can create a vibrant, economically beneficial community of digital nomads, breathing new life into our island while maintaining our unique charm and high quality of life.
Co-living is the future of the digital nomad movement and hotels are the foundation. By taking an old disused hotel and turning it into a co-living space, we can make something great. Imagine taking St Martin’s Country Hotel and turning it into 75 studio apartments, not that unlike your typical hotel room, but ensuring it’s self-contained. This ensures that the nomad has a place to call their own and be self-sufficient. If it doesn’t work, they can be rented out or sold as affordable accommodation studio apartments.
Downstairs, the restaurant can be transformed into a co-working area with desks, a breakout area, events space, and communal kitchen.
Then to top it off, ensure there’s high-quality connectivity via fibre or Starlink, partner with Evie for car-sharing, eSIMs through JT, offer a Puffin Pass for the duration of the stay, and give people some limited discount vouchers for attractions and restaurants throughout the island.
What Would the Financials Look Like?
Taking a leaf out of companies like Selina (yes, I’ve seen the news) or Outsite, people would pay a flat fee of around £2,000-£3,000 a month, giving them full access to what I’m now coining as The Saint Martin Nomad Retreat. Ideally, the States of Guernsey would own and operate these buildings so they could generate money from somewhere other than stealth-taxing the lower and middle classes out of existence. A portion of the units could be offered at a discounted rate to locals who need short-term accommodation to ensure 100% occupancy at all times.
What Would the Bailiwick Digital Nomad Visa Look Like?
There are plenty of rules we can cherry-pick from other digital nomad visas and also use the failings of other countries to ensure we get it bang-on, but the basics would be:
- Minimum salary of £40K/€45/$50K with 3 months of statements to prove it.
- Visa processing fee that ensures it covers the costs but also isn’t a deterrent.
- Proof of private health insurance required.
- Ensure the whole process can be done online and complement it with AI where possible to minimise the need for human input.
- Individuals on the Bailiwick Digital Nomad visa can only stay in designated co-living spaces.
- Valid for 180 days.
- Individuals must present proof of a return/onward transport ticket.
- Make an exception in Guernsey’s tax rules allowing a stay of up to 180 days in a calendar year without triggering local income tax.
Additional Criteria and Enhancements
- Health Insurance Requirement: Mandate that applicants have comprehensive health insurance covering their entire stay.
- Proof of Employment or Freelance Contracts: Require documentation showing ongoing employment or freelance contracts to ensure financial stability.
- Criminal Background Check: Implement a requirement for a clean criminal background check from the applicant’s home country.
If It Was a Success, What Could the Future Look Like?
- Option to include a spouse or dependent(s) on the visa; digital nomad families are actually quite common.
- Option to extend the visa beyond 180 days.
- Provide flexibility to what types of accommodation are permitted, provided it benefits the economy and protects locals.
Economic and Social Considerations
- Local Engagement: Encourage digital nomads to engage with local businesses and services, perhaps through partnerships or discounts.
- Environmental Impact: Promote eco-friendly practices among digital nomads, such as using public transport, participating in local environmental initiatives, and minimising waste.
- Cultural Exchange Programmes: Organise programmes that encourage cultural exchange and integration between digital nomads and local residents.
Feedback and Improvement Mechanism
- Regular Feedback Collection: Implement a system to regularly collect feedback from visa holders about their experience, challenges, and suggestions for improvement.
- Continuous Improvement: Use the feedback collected to continuously refine and improve the visa programme, ensuring it meets the needs of both the digital nomads and the local community.
So yeah, whilst I’m sure it’ll never happen. If there’s somebody in Government reading this, here’s your blueprint, you’re welcome.
