Moving to Sint Maarten: taxes, residence and life
How to become tax resident in Sint Maarten: personal, dividend and corporate tax, 4 residence programmes, days needed, climate, safety and economy — compared with 194 countries.
Taxes
In Sint Maarten the top income tax rate is 47.5%, dividends are taxed at up to — and companies pay 34.5% corporate tax.
How to move and become tax resident
You can become tax resident in Sint Maarten from arrival once you take up residence (Facts & circumstances (home, family, ties) → resident from arrival). The typical route is First-time Investor Permit: ANG 900k (~US$500k) in real estate/business within 18 months + NAf 50k crime-fund contribution; await decision abroad There are 4 open residence programmes in Sint Maarten — see the list below.
Living there
Philipsburg has a tropical savanna (wet/dry) climate with winter highs around 28.5 °C and summer highs around 31.5 °C. The economy grew +2.5% in 2025; the IMF forecasts 2% for 2026. Its passport opens about 164 countries without a visa in advance. Security: No conflict exposure.
Key facts
| Top income tax | 47.5% |
|---|---|
| Dividend tax | — |
| Corporate tax | 34.5% |
| Résidence fiscale | dès l'arrivée — Facts & circumstances (home, family, ties) → resident from arrival |
| Voie de résidence typique | First-time Investor Permit — ANG 900k (~US$500k) in real estate/business within 18 months + NAf 50k crime-fund contribution; await decision abroad |
| Passeport | sans visa ou visa à l'arrivée dans 164 pays |
| Economic growth | +2.5% (2025), forecast 2% (2026) |
| Type de climat | tropical savanna (wet/dry) · 28.5° / 31.5° (Philipsburg) |
| Guerre & conflits | none — No conflict exposure |
| Tous les risques naturels | 5.3/10 |
| Solidité bancaire | 5/10 · NR |
| Protection de la propriété | 6/10 |
| Logements chauds en hiver | 8.5/10 |
Residence programmes in Sint Maarten
- First-time Investor Permit — Investissement CHF 402'300 · open · 2026-10
- Residence Permit – Independent Means / Retiree — independentMeans · open · 2026-10
- Work Permit (employment-based residence) — employment · open · 2026-10
- Admission of Dutch nationals — freeMovement · open · 2026-10
Plan your residence route
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need to spend in Sint Maarten to become tax resident?
dès l'arrivée. Facts & circumstances (home, family, ties) → resident from arrival Worldwide income
How much tax will I pay in Sint Maarten?
In Sint Maarten the top income tax rate is 47.5%, dividends are taxed at up to — and companies pay 34.5% corporate tax.
Which residence programmes does Sint Maarten offer?
First-time Investor Permit (CHF 402'300); Residence Permit – Independent Means / Retiree; Work Permit (employment-based residence); Admission of Dutch nationals
What is the usual way to move to Sint Maarten?
First-time Investor Permit. ANG 900k (~US$500k) in real estate/business within 18 months + NAf 50k crime-fund contribution; await decision abroad
Compare with nearby countries
Anguilla · Antigua & Barbuda · Aruba · Bahamas · Barbados · Bermuda · British Virgin Islands · Cayman Islands · Curaçao · Dominica · Grenada · Montserrat
Information générale uniquement – pas de conseil fiscal, juridique, migratoire, en investissement ou financier, ni de relation client. Chiffres simplifiés, indicatifs et parfois dépassés. Vérifiez toujours auprès de l'autorité officielle et d'un professionnel agréé du pays concerné avant d'agir. Les liens partenaires éventuels sont signalés et peuvent nous rémunérer.