What country is St. Martin considered?

Currently, the island is divided into Sint Maarten (the southern half of the island, part of the Netherlands) and the Collectivity of Saint Martin (the northern half of the island, part of France).



St. Martin is unique because it is not a single country, but an island divided between two different European nations. The northern part, Saint-Martin, is an "Overseas Collectivity" of France. It is part of the European Union, uses the Euro as its official currency, and follows French law. The southern part, Sint Maarten, is a "Constituent Country" of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. While it is part of the Kingdom, it is not part of the EU and uses the Netherlands Antillean Guilder (though the U.S. Dollar is widely accepted). In 2026, the border between the two sides remains "open," meaning tourists can drive from the French side to the Dutch side without showing a passport, though the cultural differences are stark: the French side is known for gourmet dining and a relaxed vibe, while the Dutch side is famous for its casinos, nightlife, and cruise ship terminals. Collectively, they are often referred to as "The Friendly Island," managed by two distinct local governments.

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Currently, the island is divided into Sint Maarten (the southern half of the island, part of the Netherlands) and the Collectivity of Saint Martin (the northern half of the island, part of France).

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Sint Maarten is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Caribbean. The country is 16 miles² (41 km²) and occupies the southern part of an island shared with the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin.

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Upon arrival in Sint Maarten, you must have: a U.S. passport valid for the duration of your stay; a completed Embarkation and Disembarkation Card (ED-Card). You can complete the ED-Card on the airplane en route to Sint Maarten or in advance by using ED-Card Online.

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The island's weather is pleasant year-round, but these are times when rain showers are less likely. Summer and early fall are not good for a vacation; many hotels close in this offseason and there's a chance of hurricanes. Also avoid visiting in winter and early spring (mid-December to April) if you can.

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It's a great benefit to be able to access services on either side of the island but also witness the duality in lifestyles. Sint Maarten, the Dutch side, is located at the south of the island and is one of the four constituent countries that comprise the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

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The Spanish finally relinquished Saint Martin to the French and Dutch, who divided it between themselves in 1648. Friction between the two sides caused the border to frequently fluctuate over the next two centuries, with the French eventually holding the greater portion of the island (about 61%).

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Sint Maarten vs. Saint Martin … one beautiful Caribbean island with two completely different vibes. Sint Maarten is located on the Dutch side, and Saint Maarten is on the French side.

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Dutch is the official language of Sint Maarten, used in legal documents and throughout the court system. To confuse matters a little further, the language of the Dutch West Indies with the larger islands to the South of Aruba and Curaçao is Papiamento.

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The dry season, from December to April, is the most pleasant. This is also the peak season for tourists who come to enjoy the agreeable weather and summer temperatures. The sunshine is almost constant during this period, with hardly any rain.

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Maarten is generally considered a safe place to visit, but as with any tourist destination there are some general safety precautions you should take. St. Martin is one of the safest warm weather climate (outside US) locations to visit.

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Most visits to the Dutch Caribbean are trouble-free. However, petty theft and street crime occur. There is violent crime amongst members of the illegal drugs world, but this rarely affects tourists. The main tourist areas are generally safe, but you should take sensible precautions.

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Dutch Sint Maarten The Dutch side of the island is more developed. There are more amenities and services available, traffic tends to be heavier and the atmosphere is more animated, with a steadier flow of tourists who are more likely to be looking for a party atmosphere.

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