The EASIEST Place to Get Caribbean Residency 🇸🇽

Summary

St. Martin, a Caribbean island split between France and the Netherlands, offers a range of residence options, including pathways to citizenship and various permits, especially for EU, Dutch, and US citizens. Non-EU nationals can also explore investment-based residency, with flexibility in property and business investments. For retirees, there is a special reduced investment program. While citizenship is available through naturalization or option, the process requires meeting specific residence, language, and renunciation requirements. Overall, St. Martin is a tax-friendly and attractive destination for investors and retirees seeking a tropical lifestyle, with tailored solutions available through Nomad Capitalist.

Takeaways

• 😀 St. Martin is a Caribbean island divided into a French and Dutch side, with the Dutch side offering various residence options, including for European Union and U.S. citizens.
• 😀 EU citizens can live and work in St. Martin without a residence permit but need to register with immigration after four months. U.S. citizens have a similar benefit with a six-month stay allowance.
• 😀 The Dutch side of St. Martin provides multiple pathways to obtain a residence permit, including through employment, business ownership, cohabitation with a Dutch citizen, and family reunification.
• 😀 U.S. and Dutch citizens can obtain permanent residence right away due to treaties between St. Martin and their countries.
• 😀 Residence permits granted by investment are available but come with certain conditions, including maintaining ownership of investments and regular tax filings.
• 😀 Real estate investments for residence permits require a minimum investment of $500,000 (900,000 florins) in property, with regular appraisals to ensure the property’s value is maintained.
• 😀 Investors who are 50 or older can qualify for a special retirement residence permit, which lowers the real estate investment requirement to around $225,000, but the property must be residential only.
• 😀 Starting a company in St. Martin can be a low-investment way to obtain a residence permit, especially if you manage rental properties like those on Airbnb.
• 😀 To apply for residence in St. Martin, Dutch and U.S. citizens can apply from within the island, while other nationalities must apply from abroad.
• 😀 Citizenship in St. Martin is only attainable through naturalization, which requires at least five years of residence, language proficiency, and possibly renouncing your original nationality. However, exceptions exist for those married to Dutch citizens or from specific countries.

Q & A

What makes St. Martin a unique option for obtaining a residence permit?

St. Martin offers a variety of residence options, including permits for employment, business ownership, and cohabitation with Dutch citizens. Additionally, it has preferential treatment for EU, US, and Dutch citizens, making it an attractive option for many individuals seeking to live and work in the Caribbean.

Can EU citizens live and work in St. Martin without a residence permit?

Yes, EU citizens have the right to live and work in St. Martin without a residence permit. However, they are required to register with the immigration authorities after approximately four months.

What special agreement exists between St. Martin and the United States regarding residence?

There is a special treaty between the Dutch side of St. Martin and the US, which allows US citizens to visit, work, and stay in St. Martin for up to 6 months without a residence permit. Additionally, US citizens can obtain a residence permit more easily than other nationalities.

What are some non-investment options to obtain a residence permit in St. Martin?

Non-investment options include obtaining a permit through employment with a valid job offer, being the sole proprietor of a business, or cohabiting with a Dutch citizen (without the need for marriage). Additionally, there are family reunification options.

How long does it take to qualify for permanent residence in St. Martin?

After obtaining a residence permit, you must renew it annually for five years before qualifying for permanent residence. However, US and Dutch citizens can obtain permanent residence right away due to specific treaties.

What is the minimum investment requirement for obtaining a residence permit through real estate?

To obtain a residence permit through real estate investment, you must invest at least 900,000 Florins (around $500,000). The property can be a single unit, multiple properties, or a mix of properties and business investments.

Are there any tax implications for real estate investors seeking residence in St. Martin?

Real estate investors must comply with tax filing requirements and submit property appraisals every two years to ensure the property meets the minimum value requirement. However, there are no major property taxes beyond the regular compliance requirements.

What special residence option is available for retirees in St. Martin?

Retirees over 50 years of age can qualify for a special residence permit with a reduced investment requirement of $225,000 in real estate. This property must be residential and not used for commercial purposes like Airbnb.

How does the residence by company option work in St. Martin?

You can establish a company in St. Martin and use it to manage a rental property, such as an Airbnb. The minimum financial requirement for the property is $20,000, and as the managing director, you must earn at least the minimum salary in St. Martin. This option allows for a more flexible and lower-cost investment.

What are the steps to obtaining citizenship in St. Martin?

Citizenship in St. Martin is obtained through naturalization, which requires at least five years of legal residence. You must pass a language test, show intent to remain in the country, and in most cases, renounce your original nationality. There are exceptions, such as for married couples or if you're from a country that doesn't allow renunciation.

Can you apply for St. Martin citizenship if you're married to a Dutch citizen?

Yes, if you are married to a Dutch citizen, you can apply for citizenship after three years of living together in St. Martin. In certain cases, if you've been married for at least 15 years and lived together in St. Martin, you may not need to take a Dutch language test or renounce your original nationality.