The Office of the Data Protection Authority’s (ODPA) annual registration window is now open.
All organisations that process personal information must register or renew their registration by the end of February, as required by the Data Protection (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2017 (the ”Law”).
This applies to anyone who works with information about living people including facts, contact details, and even opinions, provided the activity is not for personal or household use.
Why do I have to register?
Registering with the Data Protection Authority (DPA) is a legal requirement for all organisations including small businesses and sole traders, that process personal data and are established in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
The registration fee enables the DPA to fulfil its statutory functions to operate independently of the States of Guernsey.
A properly resourced and effective regulator:
- protects the data rights of islanders
- supports organisations in handling personal information lawfully
- underpins the Bailiwick’s wider digital strategy
Who needs to register?
You must register with the ODPA if the following three criteria apply:
1. You are established in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.
2. You are working with personal data (i.e. any information that may identify individual people, such as your staff members, your clients, your business contacts, your service users, your tenants etc.)
3. This activity is not part of your personal/household affairs.
How much do I need to pay?
From 1 January 2026, the annual registration fee will be:
- £62.22 for organisations with fewer than 50 employees
- £2,488.80 for organisations with 50 or more employees
These updated fees reflect a 3.7% increase, in line with the annual change in the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments (RPIX) as of June 2025.
Registered charities and not-for-profit organisations are not required to pay registration fees.
What do the registration fees pay for?
The DPA regulates data protection across the public, private, and charitable sectors, and uses registration fees to support this wide-ranging role.
This includes:
- outreach and education- each year, the DPA engages with dozens of community events and supports organisations across the Bailiwick in meeting their data protection responsibilities
- delivering courses and workshops on protecting children online to children, parents and leaders
- providing free advice, publishing guidance and offering drop-in sessions to organisations and individuals
- Addressing complaints from members of the public
- Responding to and mitigating harm from personal data breaches and
- enforcing compliance with the Law
More detailed information is available at www.odpa.gg/registrations