Welcome to St Maarten: Travel Requirements Due to Covid-19 In 2021

St Maarten Covid Restrictions 2021

Covid19 Entry in to St Maarten (SXM)

St Maarten is doing everything to make it easier for you to come back while keeping the island as safe as possible for those who are already enjoying the sun!

Official Government Of Sint Maarten Covid-19 page.

Mandatory Covid Insurance St Maarten

Update: March 11th 2021
https://www.sxmprotectionplan.com/
From 19th January 2021, Covid insurance is required for all foreign nationals with the exception of visitors who arrive and leave the same day, crew members and transit/transfer passengers who don’t need to recheck their luggage. This is so that you receive the best care possible while on your vacation.

The St Maarten Visitors Protection Plan is sold via the mandatory health form on stmaartenentry.com.

Cost of Insurance

Ages 15 – 75

Effective 10 January 2021, a flat premium of $30 is charged for stays not exceeding 180 days.
The premium is non-refundable, unless you’ve made a duplicate purchase or if you cancelled your trip to St Maarten.
The premium must be paid every time you re-enter St Maarten.

Ages 0 -14:

$10

Ages 76+:

$30

St Maarten Entry Requirements

Ministers of TEATT Ludmila de Weever and VSA Richard Panneflek have updated the entry requirements to include antigen testing with effective date of November 25th 2020. Travellers to St. Maarten are required to complete a mandatory health authorization application via the Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS) available on www.stmaartenentry.com and upload their negative RT-PCR test within 5 days or their negative antigen test result within 48 hours.

All passengers are required to fill out the Electronic Health Authorization System Form

Not all passengers are required to have Covid-19 Negative Test documentation for entry. You only require this if you are from a high-risk country.
Travellers coming from low-risk countries are not required to take a COVID-19 test as long as they have not been in any of the high-risk countries in the last 14 days prior to their St Maarten Travel. Children under 10 years of age are exempted from the mandatory COVID-19 test.

In case St Maarten isn’t right for you at this time; use this World Map with real-time updates to find alternative destinations that are less restrictive based on travel conditions for each country.
World Interactive Travel Restrictions Map

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Ritika: +1721 526 1819

Residents of which country are permitted to enter or travel to St Maarten?

Check this link for most recent updates on Country Specific Risk Classification.

Are all visitors required to fill out the Electronic Health Authorization System Form?

Yes, all passengers are required to fill out the Electronic Health Authorization System Form.

What type of Covid19 test is the right one?

  1. A rt-PCR test for the SARS-COV-2 virus obtained from a naso-pharyngeal swab performed in the country of origin and within 72 hours prior to departure to Sint Maarten (last leg in case of connecting flights) is required for all travelers originating from a country that is categorized as high risk. Antibody tests and tests performed outside of the 72 hours period will not be accepted. Results from home covid-19 collection test kits will also not be accepted. Airlines might require you to show a negative lab test result. For travelers from the USA, US territories and Canada the time frame remains 120 hrs. prior to departure. This will remain in effect as long as the national health authorities of the USA and Canada do not require differently for their traveling citizens.
  2. Alternatively, travelers originating from the USA and Canada can do an antigen test for the SARS-COV-2 virus obtained from a naso-pharyngeal swab performed within 48 hours prior to departure to St Maarten Travel. All FDA approved antigen tests including those with Emergency Use Authorization only (EUA) are accepted. Tests performed outside of the 48 hours period and home tests will not be accepted.
  3. Travelers residing in and/or traveling from a low-risk country are exempted from the mandatory rt-PCR or antigen test.
  4. Travelers who reside in a low-risk country but have visited a high-risk country in the 14 days prior to departing to Sint Maarten, must also have a rt-PCR or antigen test for the SARS-COV-2 virus performed in the country of origin within 72 respectively 48 hours prior to departure to Sint Maarten (last leg in case of connecting flights).
  5. The original test result to be uploaded as part of EHAS application procedure must clearly specify the name of the laboratory or clinic, full name of test subject, type of test administered, name of antigen test, swab date, source of the swab, result date and a negative result. Incomplete results, hand written or e-mail statements from doctors will not be accepted.
  6. Children of age 10 and under are exempted from the mandatory rt-PCR or antigen test. As of the day after the 10th birthday, a rt-PCR or antigen test has to be submitted.
  7. Airline and private flight crews with stopovers in St. Maarten or St. Martin must demonstrate a valid negative rt-PCR or antigen test upon arrival. Crew members not in possession of a valid negative rt-PCR or antigen test must self-quarantine until their departure flight.

How to find a lab to test near you

We have heard that this information is difficult to find so we have researched the wonderful internet to find this as the best resource to find a testing lab near you.
Make sure the lab administers rt-PCR tests and Rapid Antigen tests obtained from a naso-pharyngeal swab.

Please check: Test For Travel.

Is St. Maarten open to marine vessels, boats, yachts?

St. Maarten is now open to yachts, cruisers and private vessels. A local registered agent is required for all vessels. Please contact a local agent for more information on the protocol and to arrange your arrival. For more information, you can go to the official website of The St. Maarten Marine Trade Association. If you are arriving from outside of one of the Approved countries listed then a 14 day quarantine may be required as well as a COVID-19 PCR test taken and result received within 120 hours prior to departure.

What restrictions are there in moving around between French side and the Dutch side?

You are able to stay, travel, move around, drive and dine on the French side or Dutch side. There are new business opening restrictions on the French side.

What should I do if i suspect I have COVID-19 while on-island?

St Maarten Travel, If you are feeling unwell and suspect that you may have COVID-19, please contact your Front Desk or one of the COVID-19 task force members of your property you are staying at, or dial the hotline 914. We recommend you familiarize yourself with the property’s guidelines before or upon arrival.

What is the real estate market like with Covid-19

After a slow start, the real estate market in St Maarten is back! There are a lot of properties for sale and the market is turning around slowly, but there is significant activity and interest. I have had my best year since 2017!

The vacation rental market has been severely affected, however, it has created an environment which will lead to significant improvements in this area. Century21 is leading the pack with plenty of free upgrades when booked via us.

St Maarten Real Estate Is Booming

Throughout the pandemic, we at Century21 in St Maarten are thankful that we have had some of our best months in recent times. Its been adventurous and we have met some amazing people along the way. We look forward to working with you soon. We just love the business. So give us a challenge, difficult times like these really bring us into our element and we have stood out from the rest.
May be celebrate our good times together.

One of the most exciting projects was Oryx Residences and the accomplishment of 80% under contract within 4 months. Working with our friends at Oryx Residences has been a highlight. Its the one of the largest residential projects in Cay Hill, developed by the APS / Algemeen Pensioenfonds Sint Maarten. A glorious St Maarten home, new low-cost residential properties in Cay Hill, these homes provided an opportunity for St Maarteners to become proud owners or renters of robust family homes at competitive prices ($145,000 – $245,000). It would not be an exaggeration to state that the majority of units went under contract within the first 2 months. In fact, within the first four months, Century21 St Maarten, in collaboration with the APS team, managed to sell 80% of the units amid the pandemic. The St Maarten homes, which include 1-,2- and 3-bedroom units, are guarded by security 24/7, and each home has been designed to remain resistant to hurricanes. Essentially, Century21 St Maarten holds an undisputed reputation of offering homes at the best locations, with unparalleled security and a sense of living in a tight-knit community. The projects are undertaken to keep every potential homebuyer in mind- children, adults, and the elderly.

Oryx Residences, Cay Hill

At the heart of Cay Hill, the new sixty-two concrete homes are being eyed by many. Despite the absence of a bustling economy, courtesy of COVID-19, no stones were left unturned to make this project a success. For instance, buyers of townhomes are permitted to established additional floors based on their needs. Some of the enticing provisions offered include ceramic tiles, Corian kitchen countertops, aluminium hand railings adjacent to the stairs, aluminium windows, a large concrete gazebo, a play area for children, concrete pavement, private parking, and so much more. Buyers have been raving about the units and the features offered, with their glaring reviews up on our website to see. Both the townhouses and the apartments are being offered for a price that is less than $250,000!

Oryx Residences

St Maarten’s Rising Popularity

While the onset of the coronavirus pandemic initially seemed like the end of the world, it definitely did not seem to affect St Maarten’s popularity among tourists. In fact, just in 2019 a year marked by the pandemic’s entry the region witnessed an 80% increase in visitors. This rise is attributed to the increase in flight frequencies from major gateway cities coupled with the introduction of new airport gateways. The same year, Jet Blue introduced its new flight service between Fort Lauderdale and St Maarten, Sunwing’s winter flight service out of Montreal and Toronto was revived, while KLM returned with its direct 3 times weekly flight. All in all, these few changes were enough to attract visitors from across the globe, who remained undeterred despite the coronavirus pandemic after the lifting of travel restrictions in different countries. With the tourism industry ablaze, all eyes are on St Maarten for attractive and lucrative investment opportunities.

Real Estate Boom in St Maarten

Another positive indicator that can be quite comforting to all the stakeholders of St Maarten and Century21 alike is the booming real estate in the region. In fact, we are proud to become a future home to a US $220 million luxury hotel resort and condos, which is a project by Tau Capital and Altree Developments Inc real estate development firms in collaboration with Cay Bay Development (CBD) NV, the master developer at Indigo Bay. This hotel would include five-star amenities as well as 94 hotel rooms and suites, 55 lanai suites, 60 two-bedroom units, 15 three-bedroom units, a large luxury spa (10,000 square feet), a conference facility, and so much more. Not just that, Harmony Promotion and Marriott International, in tandem with several investors, have recently announced their plans to develop a five-star hotel in Baie Nettle, which will be scheduled to open in 2023. With top-class facilities, these two projects throw light upon St Maarten’s bright future, regardless of the state of the pandemic.

Indigo Bay Hotel

Who Are We?

Century 21 St Maarten is a full service St Maarten real estate residential and commercial brokerage company representing sellers, buyers, renters, landlords, and developers of luxury properties. When buyers and sellers think about real estate in St Maarten, their thoughts pace towards our projects. Specialists in Terres Basses villas for sale and St Martin villas for rent. Our Indigo Bay villas are a favorite among sellers looking for serene homes with views that are only dreamt of by many. At Indigo Bay, our luxury villas are up for grabs, albeit they too are selling at a very quick pace. Not just that, our properties stand out wherever we set our foot; Cupecoy, Dawn Beach, Simpson Bay Beach, Oyster Pond, Maho, and so many more beautiful places.

Sint Maarten Real Estate Market After Covid19

Sint Maarten Real Estate Covid19

Sint Maarten Real Estate Covid19, I have to admit when we hit lockdown around mid-March 2020, like everyone else, we were scared for our futures.

We returned back to work a little over four months ago and it has been phenomenal, with both good and bad experiences!

A disruption in the mindsets of owners has led to opportunities for buyers. However, with Sint Maarten being a strong real estate economy, most owners are comfortable waiting out the ‘buyers market’ for one more year. They know today we struggle, but tomorrow we will be back, mainly because there are no nearby islands that can fill the economic void. Sint Maarten has no competition! Buying Property In St Maarten  

Sint Maarten Home Sales:

The questions that we commonly hear. Have you sold any properties? Are there buyers?
The answer is an emphatic YES!

The luxury real estate market has not returned, but the mid to low market is on fire. Homes below $500,000 are selling fast and not seeing much movement in price. If you know you are well priced, then we will definitely sell!

Some owners are pricing their homes much higher than market value to brace themselves for a low offer, however it seems the initial price is deterring buyers from even showing interest to these properties.

Even interest in certain locations has vaned. Pointe Blanche and Philipsburg are at a standstill for now, due to uncertainty in the cruise ship industry.

Cole Bay, Cay Hill and Cupecoy are in high demand due to new developments and reasonable prices.

To confirm our success, please view the comments and questions we receive on our popular Facebook page.
Real Estate Sint Maarten

Sint Maarten Rentals:

Sint Maarten Real Estate Covid19, With the closure of some bars, restaurants and tourist businesses a lot of the skilled labour on the island have left. This has created a temporary void in the rental market.

It may come as good news to some and bad news to others, that the rents are dropping in an effort to attract tenants.

However, at Century21, we are not seeing any slow down in long term rentals, in part to the aggressive efforts of our team. Bravo!

The short term rental market has inevitably suffered and as a result, some of the properties assigned to this market have been changing their business plan in favour of long term rentals. A necessary change.

Conclusion:

Overall investors and buyers are flocking into Sint Maarten! They are only looking at real estate deals. Of course, it’s too early to predict anything, hence we are sticking to facts for now.

Each location has its own story and in view of this, I would recommend talking to Ritika about how to proceed with your future real estate plans. Those twenty-six plus years in real estate are vital right now. Ritika may be the only real estate Broker in Sint Maarten seeing all the success, in great part to her endurance and experience!