Chip & Pin is widely used in the Island. Euros are accepted in a limited number of outlets. There is no counter service for Building Societies in Jersey however there are Link Card machines in the parishes of St Helier, St Saviour, St Peter and at Red Houses in St Brelade. Please check with your own society regarding Jersey cash transactions before you leave, as these differ from the UK.
Pensions from the UK will only be payable if the pension book indicates Group 13 membership.
Did you know?
Research released by TNS, in 2009, showed that 41% of the British population don’t know that the GBP is used on Jersey. As part of the British Isles, Jersey is one of the UK’s closest neighbours, (lying 87 nautical miles from south of the UK) and yet, is just 11 miles from France and so shares many similarities.
A sample of 1,000 adults aged 16+ across Great Britain were surveyed by telephone interview, and asked ‘what is the official currency of Jersey?’ 59% correctly identified the pound sterling, however 17% of respondents stated the Euro, whilst 7% believed it to be something else, and another 17% said they didn’t know.
Any visitors will experience the continental elements of Jersey; the local language of Jérriais which is closer to French than English (though English is most widely spoken), many road signs are in French and the food is of a quality and style usually only found on the Continent.
Jersey is easily accessible from anywhere in the UK with flights from 29 different airports across the UK with flights times from only 35 minutes, or from 3 hours by ferry from Poole, Weymouth or Portsmouth – giving visitors the feeling of going abroad without getting short shrift at the Bureau de Change.
Economy
Traditionally, Jersey's economy has been centred around agriculture, fishing and knitwear. Today, it's finance that dominates, providing 40% of Gross Value Added (GVA).
The Island's low rate of income tax (20%) has attracted high net-worth individuals since Napoleonic times. However, the finance industry has only properly existed in Jersey since 1962, when a law that had capped interest rates at 5% was abolished.
In the years that followed, financial institutions were drawn to the Island by its stable government, proximity to both the UK and continental Europe and low taxes. Jersey is now an international financial centre, with over 33,000 registered companies.
For more information on financial matters, visit:
States of Jersey Statistics Unit
www.gov.je/government/jerseyworld/statisticsunit
Jersey Financial Services Commission
www.jerseyfsc.org
Jersey Finance
www.jerseyfinance.je
Tourism
Tourism is also very important to Jersey, both in terms of the revenue generated for the economy and the infrastructure which is appreciated by our local residents as well as visitors.
Jersey's regular fast ferry services to France and the UK and the 30 plus airports with direct flights during the Summer months are directly attributable to a successful tourism industry which also provides a social structure which enhances the quality of life for our residents by providing quality restaurants , entertainment and family attractions.
In 2011, 689,700 people visited Jersey, spending approximately £242m. Of these visitors 334,400 were staying leisure visitors with a large majority coming from the UK. Jersey is attracting an increasing number of European visitors with over 50,000 staying leisure visitors coming from France and Germany.
Jersey Tourism produces statistics monthly and annually, for further detailed data, please visit www.jersey.com/business.
Agriculture
Among the major agricultural exports are a range of dairy products associated with the iconic Jersey cow, the world-famous Jersey Royal potatoes and a wide variety of market garden crops and flowers.
Read more about 'Money Matters' in Jersey and get a guide on prices.