St Martin collectively are the two territories of Saint-Martin ( french side) and the Sint Maarten (dutch side). The island is located south of Anguilla, separated from the British territory by the Anguilla Channel. The main industry of the island is tourism with over one million visitors annually. About 85% of the workforce was engaged in the tourist industry.
The dutch side is heavily populated. The Dutch side is known for its festive nightlife, beaches, jewelry, drinks made with native rum-based guava berry liquors, and casinos. The island’s French side is known for its beaches, clothes, shopping (outdoor markets), and French and Indian Caribbean cuisine. Sint Martin uses the Euro as its currency, while Sint Maarten uses the Netherlands Antillean guilder, pegged at 1.79 per US Dollar. Sint Maarten has attracted many nationalities to it’s shores; many looking for better opportunities. Visitors from the United States, Canada, South America, Europe and the Caribbean who call “home.” The island prides itself on being home to over 100 nationalities.
Princess Juliana International Airport is the main airport on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin. The airport is located on the Dutch side of the island, in the country of Sint Maarten. In 2015, the airport handled 1,829,543 passengers and around 60,000 aircraft movements. The airport serves as a hub for Windward Islands Airways and is the major gateway for the smaller Leeward Islands, including Anguilla, Saba, St. Barthélemy and St. Eustatius. The airport has very low-altitude flyover landing approaches, owing to one end of its runway being extremely close to the shore and Maho Beach.
Why Sint Maarten?
The Dutch part of St Martin is very popular more than the french side for real estate buyers.
- Best Beaches all year sunshine.
- Steady increase of property market value
- Easy residency for investors
- Good business and investment climate
- No customs duties on imported items
- No property taxes
- No capital gains tax
Investor permit
The Dutch side of St Martin (aka Sint Maarten) offers a very interesting investor permit (RBI scheme) to foreigners with a path to permanent residence and then to Dutch citizenship. Foreigners must invest atleast USD 500,000 in real estate or business investment in the island.
Real Estate
Foreigners can qualify for investors permit for investing a minimum of USD 500,000 (ANG 900,000) in real estate or business.
St. Martin’s vacation properties in great demand among international buyers, of greater returns, plus there are no property taxes and capital gains. There is 6% transfer fee. Foreigners can freely choose from a wide selection of apartments, condos, single-family homes, villas, vacant land, and commercial units. The buying process is simple and straighforward.
Permanent residence
Permanent residence after five years of residence in the island.
Dutch Citizenship
It is possible to acquire dutch citizenship/passport after five years of living (Dutch nationality law)
