At its meeting of 25 February 2026 the French Council of Ministers adopted a draft law authorising ratification of the long-awaited boundary treaty with the Netherlands for the Caribbean island of Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten. Signed on 26 May 2023 in Belle Plaine, the agreement fixes, for the first time, the precise terrestrial and maritime line that separates the French Overseas Collectivity from the autonomous Dutch territory. Since the Concordia Accords of 1648 the frontier had only been loosely described, creating grey zones that complicated policing, customs and environmental management.
For travellers and businesses the treaty is significant because it preserves the principle of free movement across the island while clarifying which authority—Paris or The Hague—is responsible for immigration procedures at each port of entry. The text also establishes a joint commission to maintain markers, coordinate border-security technology and exchange passenger-information data—an important step as both sides prepare for the EU Entry/Exit System and the ETIAS travel authorisation.
The delineation should ease the logistics of cruise tourism, yachting and air freight. Princess Juliana International Airport, situated on the Dutch side but used by residents and tourists staying in the French north, will be able to streamline passenger flows because French Police aux Frontières officers can now be deployed under clear jurisdictional rules. Likewise, French customs will gain legal certainty when inspecting duty-free goods moving southwards.
![Paris approves historic treaty finalising France–Netherlands border on Saint-Martin]()
Whether you’re arriving by yacht at Marigot Bay or via a connecting flight through Paris, VisaHQ can help you verify current entry requirements and secure any necessary travel authorisations for the French side of the island. Their France portal (https://www.visahq.com/france/) provides easy-to-use tools to check if you need a visa, prepare for the forthcoming ETIAS system, and handle supporting paperwork—making cross-border trips between Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten smoother for both holidaymakers and corporate staff.
Corporate mobility programmes with staff posted to the island—particularly in hospitality, finance and telecoms—should review assignment letters to ensure social-security coverage aligns with the employee’s side of residence. Tax advisers expect Paris and The Hague to revisit double-taxation arrangements once the boundary legislation is ratified, potentially affecting payroll sourcing.
The government intends to fast-track the bill through Parliament; officials forecast entry into force before the start of the 2026/27 winter tourist season. Until then, existing administrative arrangements remain valid and travellers can continue to cross the internal frontier without checks.
For travellers and businesses the treaty is significant because it preserves the principle of free movement across the island while clarifying which authority—Paris or The Hague—is responsible for immigration procedures at each port of entry. The text also establishes a joint commission to maintain markers, coordinate border-security technology and exchange passenger-information data—an important step as both sides prepare for the EU Entry/Exit System and the ETIAS travel authorisation.
The delineation should ease the logistics of cruise tourism, yachting and air freight. Princess Juliana International Airport, situated on the Dutch side but used by residents and tourists staying in the French north, will be able to streamline passenger flows because French Police aux Frontières officers can now be deployed under clear jurisdictional rules. Likewise, French customs will gain legal certainty when inspecting duty-free goods moving southwards.
Whether you’re arriving by yacht at Marigot Bay or via a connecting flight through Paris, VisaHQ can help you verify current entry requirements and secure any necessary travel authorisations for the French side of the island. Their France portal (https://www.visahq.com/france/) provides easy-to-use tools to check if you need a visa, prepare for the forthcoming ETIAS system, and handle supporting paperwork—making cross-border trips between Saint-Martin and Sint Maarten smoother for both holidaymakers and corporate staff.
Corporate mobility programmes with staff posted to the island—particularly in hospitality, finance and telecoms—should review assignment letters to ensure social-security coverage aligns with the employee’s side of residence. Tax advisers expect Paris and The Hague to revisit double-taxation arrangements once the boundary legislation is ratified, potentially affecting payroll sourcing.
The government intends to fast-track the bill through Parliament; officials forecast entry into force before the start of the 2026/27 winter tourist season. Until then, existing administrative arrangements remain valid and travellers can continue to cross the internal frontier without checks.
