To legally operate a business in Sint Maarten, registration at the appropriate Registry (as well as a business Chamber of Commerce membership) is essential.
Getting your St Maarten business license starts with understanding your citizenship status. When I started my business here, I quickly learned that the process varies slightly depending on whether you’re Antillean-born or Non-Antillean-born. Let me share what I discovered during my own journey.
A simple business structure where the owner and business are the same entity. You are fully responsible for all debts and obligations.
Register your business through a Notary. They handle legal documents and company formation.
All businesses must be registered in the Chamber of Commerce (COCI).
Apply through TEATT depending on your business type (restaurants, hotels, etc.).
Set up a business account with a local bank to manage finances.
Register with the Tax Office to handle business taxes legally.
Register employees with SZV as required by law.
Valid passport ID card Census registration Business license (if required)
Certain businesses like restaurants, casinos, and banks require special licenses.
Business name check Submit Model A form Pay registration fee ($175)
Open bank account and register for CRIB number at the Tax Office.
Must live 10 years in Sint Maarten OR have a Dutch passport.
Get a finalization letter before applying to COCI.
Passport ID Census registration TEATT approval letter
Complete name check, submit Model A form, and pay fees.
Open a business bank account, get CRIB number, and register for insurance.
Refers to everyone else, (including individuals born in places like the Netherlands, even if they hold Dutch Nationality). From what I've seen with friends who are Antillean-born, their St Maarten business license process was a bit more straightforward. They didn't need as many residency documents as I did. The business structures and licensing options are the same for everyone though—your citizenship just affects the paperwork requirements.
The process for starting a St Maarten business license can vary depending on whether you're an Antillean-born or Non-Antillean-born citizen. Who qualifies as Antillean born citizens: Individuals born on Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Sint Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius, or Antilles (now Bonaire). As a non-Antillean citizen myself, I navigated this path when I started my business. The main difference I experienced was needing extra documentation to prove my right to work and operate here. It required more paperwork, but it was totally manageable once I understood what was needed.
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