St Maarten Business License: Steps & Requirements (2026)
To run a business on the Dutch side of St Maarten, foreign owners need a business and director license, granted by the Minister of TEATT. In practice you register at the Chamber of Commerce, get a tax (Crib) number, and a civil-law notary submits the license request on your behalf. A non-refundable processing fee applies, and once approved you also need a residence permit if you plan to live here. I connect you with the right notary and walk you through every step.
- Foreign owners need a business and director license from the Minister of TEATT.
- A civil-law notary submits the request; you register with the Chamber of Commerce and the tax office first.
- Approval of the director license is followed by a residence permit if you intend to live on the island.
- Requirements and fees change, so confirm the current process with the Chamber of Commerce and your notary.
Who needs a business license in St Maarten?
If you plan to operate a business on the Dutch side of St Maarten as a foreign national, you need a business and director license. This is separate from owning property, which foreigners can do freely. The license is granted by the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT), and it confirms both the company and its directors are cleared to operate here.
I am a real estate agent, not a lawyer or notary, so treat this as an honest overview of the process, not legal advice. The specifics change, and a civil-law notary handles the formal filing. What I can do is get you to the right people and make sure you are not caught off guard.
What are the steps and documents?
The process runs through a few offices. In broad strokes, you register the company, get a tax number, and a notary submits the license request. Here is how it usually flows, based on the current guidance from the Sint Maarten government and Chamber of Commerce:
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Chamber of Commerce | Register the company and obtain a Chamber of Commerce excerpt. |
| 2. Tax office | Obtain a Crib number declaration from the Inspectorate of Taxes. |
| 3. Notary submits the request | A civil-law notary files the application to the Minister of TEATT, in English, with the deed of incorporation, director details, and a client information form. |
| 4. Processing fee | A non-refundable processing fee is paid with the application. |
| 5. Residence permit | Once the director license is approved, a residence permit is requested at the Department of Immigration if you intend to live here. |
The application letter goes to the Minister and includes the business address and each director's name, date of birth, place of birth, and residential address. Because these requirements are updated from time to time, confirm the current document list with the Chamber of Commerce or your notary before you file.
How long does it take, and what does it cost?
Processing times and fees vary and are set by the relevant offices, not by me, so I will not quote you a number that might be out of date by the time you read this. What I tell clients is to budget for a non-refundable processing fee and to expect the notary and government steps to take time.
Start the company registration and tax number early, because the notary cannot file the license request until those are in hand. The people who move fastest are the ones who prepared their documents before they arrived.
How I help with the business license
I am not the person who signs off your license, but I am the person who makes the path clear. I connect you with a civil-law notary who does this regularly, point you to the Chamber of Commerce and tax office, and keep the property side and the business side moving together if you are also buying here. If you are setting up a business and looking for premises, I can line up viewings while your paperwork is in motion. For the wider picture of settling here, see my guide to moving to St Maarten.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do foreigners need a license to run a business in St Maarten?
Yes. On the Dutch side, a foreign owner needs a business and director license from the Minister of TEATT, which is separate from owning property. A civil-law notary files the request on your behalf.
Who actually submits the business license application?
A civil-law notary submits the request to the Minister of TEATT with the deed of incorporation, director details, Chamber of Commerce excerpt, and tax (Crib) number. You register the company and get the tax number first.
Do I need a residence permit too?
If you intend to live on the island, yes. Once the director license is approved, you request a residence permit at the Department of Immigration. If you are running the business remotely, confirm your situation with your notary.
How much does a St Maarten business license cost?
A non-refundable processing fee applies, set by the government and updated from time to time. Confirm the current fee with the Chamber of Commerce or your notary rather than relying on an old figure.
Is the process the same on the French side?
No. The French side of Saint-Martin follows French and EU rules with a different registration process and offices. This page covers the Dutch side only.