St. Martin Day 2026: Two Flags, One Island — What It Means for Investors
On Wednesday, November 11, Sint Maarten and Saint-Martin close their offices and celebrate. Church bells, wreaths at the border monument, a parade, speeches from both governments, then music late into the night. It is the one day the whole island says the same thing out loud: one island, one people.
For anyone thinking of owning a home here, it is also the best day of the year to understand how this island actually works.
1493: a saint's day becomes a name
Christopher Columbus sighted the island on November 11, 1493, the feast day of St. Martin of Tours, and named it after the saint. More than five centuries later, that date is a public holiday on both sides of the border.
1648: the treaty that still runs the island
On March 23, 1648, the French and Dutch governors met on Mount Concordia and signed the Treaty of Concordia. Rather than fight over the island, they agreed to share it and live side by side. It is widely described as the oldest international treaty still in force.
1959: the handshake that started the holiday
On November 11, 1959, Dr. Hubert Petit and Dr. Claude Wathey, the leaders of the two sides, launched a shared celebration. This year is the 67th. The two sides take turns hosting the official programme, and the Unity Flag is raised on both halves every November 11.
Why this matters if you are buying
That 378-year-old agreement is why SXM is not one market but two, joined by a border you cross without stopping. On this island, an investor does not just choose a view. They choose a legal system and a currency.
Dutch side — Sint Maarten
A country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Currency: the Caribbean guilder, pegged at US$1 = 1.79. US dollars are used everywhere.
Sales go through a civil-law notary and close in 30 to 60 days, depending on financing and the parties involved.
Buyer closing costs of about 5.5%, and no capital gains tax.
Gateway: Princess Juliana International Airport.
French side — Saint-Martin
A French overseas collectivity and part of the European Union.
Currency: the euro.
Sales are handled by a French notary.
Buyer costs and taxes follow French-side rules: ask us for the French-side cost sheet before you compare.
Gateway: Grand Case airport, with Juliana a short drive away.
Neither side is "better". A buyer earning in dollars and renting to North American guests often starts on the Dutch side. A buyer holding euros, or wanting an EU-anchored asset, often looks north to Grand Case and Orient Bay. Many owners live on one side and spend their evenings on the other.
Where to be on November 11
Morning: the wreath-laying at the border monument, the clearest picture of the treaty you will ever see.
Late morning: the parade of troupes and the official speeches on the host side. After the Dutch side hosted in 2025, the official programme is expected on the French side this year.
Afternoon into the night: food stalls, troupes and live bands. November 11 is also the village fête of French Quarter (Quartier d'Orléans).
Evening: the Saint-Martin Gastronomy Festival is scheduled to open in Grand Case.
Check the official programme from the Government of Sint Maarten and the Collectivité de Saint-Martin before you go: roads near the parade route close. For the rest of the island year, see our Sint Maarten events calendar.
One agency, both sides of the border
Andreu Realty is based on Airport Road in Simpson Bay and works the whole island, Dutch side and French side. Whether you are comparing a Maho condo with an Orient Bay apartment, or weighing dollars against euros, we walk you through both systems before you commit.
Happy St. Martin Day from the Andreu Realty team.
Comments