Moving to Sint Maarten / St-Martin in 2026

The only island split between two nations — a Dutch south and a French north — and the tax difference between them is enormous. Here's the Dutch 10% Penshonado program, the residency routes, and the real cost.

Sint Maarten / Saint-Martin is a genuine curiosity: one small 87-km² island shared by two countries — the Dutch south (Sint Maarten, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands) and the French north (Saint-Martin, part of France and the EU). The border is open and English is spoken everywhere, but each side runs its own immigration and — crucially — its own tax system. For most relocating expats and retirees, that tax gap makes the Dutch side the clear choice.

The big decision: Dutch side vs French side

This is the single most important call, and it's mostly about tax. The Dutch side has no property, capital-gains, or inheritance tax and a moderate income tax — and offers the Penshonado program below. The French side runs on French tax law: income tax up to 45% plus ~17.2% social charges, a wealth tax on property above €1.3M, and EU VAT. Same beaches, very different tax bill. A residence permit on one side does not grant rights on the other.

The Penshonado program (Dutch side, for retirees)

The headline draw: a legal, government-sanctioned flat 10% tax on worldwide income for qualifying retirees.

• Eligibility: aged 50+, lived abroad the prior 60 months, become a genuine resident, and register with the tax authority within two months.
• Property: buy a home worth at least ANG 450,000 (~US$250,000) — required by renewal.

Residency routes (Dutch side)

Unlike much of the Caribbean, Sint Maarten doesn't require bond/fund investments — it looks at income, property, and presence:

• AVVR (financially independent): stable income of ≥ANG 150,000/year plus qualifying property; renewable 1–3 years.
• Investor: the same ~US$250,000 real-estate minimum, any age.
• Managing Director: establish a local company (US citizens benefit from the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty). Permanent residence after 5 years.

Most Western nationals enter visa-free for 90 days (in any 180) to scout — but that doesn't establish residency.

Cost of living — high

One of the pricier Caribbean bases: roughly $3,000–$4,500/month for a single expat, driven by rent (a one-bedroom runs $900–$1,400) and imports. Cars carry steep import duties.

Healthcare

Both sides have hospitals (the St. Maarten Medical Center on the Dutch side; a full French hospital on the north), but complex care means travel to Puerto Rico, Miami, or the Netherlands/Martinique — so carry private international insurance ($300–$600/month) with evacuation cover.

Where expats actually live

Secure, established communities include Cupecoy, Simpson Bay, and Indigo Bay on the Dutch side; the French side is generally quieter. The island is tiny — 20 minutes end to end — and just 3–4 hours from major US cities by direct flight.

Is Sint Maarten right for you?

• Great fit if: you're a retiree who can use the Dutch-side 10% Penshonado, or a business owner wanting a US-dollar, English-speaking base close to the US.
• Think twice if: you'd end up a French-side tax resident on high income, or you need budget costs — this island is expensive.

Frequently asked questions