How does healthcare work in Sint Maarten, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?

How does the healthcare system work in Sint Maarten?

What is the quality of healthcare in Sint Maarten?

• Sint Maarten is an island divided between two countries: the Dutch part of Sint Maarten and the French part of Saint-Martin. Both parts of the island have good health care with high medical standards, but fall under a different health care system.
• There are two hospitals on the island, one in each part. There are also private clinics.
• Many of the facilities on the Dutch part of the island are public and often larger than those on the French part. On the French part you will find more private facilities.
• Sint Maarten also has a foundation for mental health care, the Sint Maarten Mental Health Foundation. This is located on the Dutch part of the island. Both admission and day visits are possible here.
• Although the care is of good quality, not all care can be provided. In the event of major medical accidents, an evacuation to, for example, Curaçao or the US is probably necessary. So make sure you are well insured!
• Call 912 for medical assistance.

How does the public healthcare system work in Sint Maarten?

• The quality of public health care is excellent. You can expect medical care of the highest standard.
• The public hospital in the Dutch part is the Sint Maarten Medical Center (SMMC). This hospital is the largest healthcare facility on the island and serves people from Sint Maarten as well as people from other islands such as Saba and Sint Eustatius.
• In the SMMC you can get all the modern care that you can expect in other developed countries. The hospital has 30 medical specialists and more than 70 hospital beds available.
• In Saint Martin, the French part of the island you have the Louis Constant Fleming Medical Center with at least 80 beds and good, specialized care.
• In the Dutch part you can qualify for the ZorgVerzekering (ZV) the Sociale Ziektekostenverzekeringsfonds (SZV) as a resident or employee if you meet certain conditions. This makes healthcare more affordable because part of the care is compensated in case of illness.
• Residents of the French part have access to the French social security system Caisse Générale de Sécurité Sociale (CGSS).
• Public care in the French part is better subsidized and cheaper for residents than in the Dutch part.

How does the private healthcare system work in Sint Maarten?

• In Sint Maarten, private clinics offer faster and often better care, but at higher prices. For specialist treatment, patients often have to travel to other islands.
• French standards for private care apply in Saint Martin, and healthcare costs can be partly covered by French social security for registered residents.
• Without French or Dutch health insurance, healthcare is very expensive. Good international health insurance is therefore important to cover the high costs.

How is the general practitioner arranged in Sint Maarten?

• There are medical clinics on both parts of the island that offer GP care.
• In general, you have to make an appointment in advance, but some practices also work on a walk-in basis. Check in advance whether your GP is contracted with the SZV.

How is the dentist arranged in Sint Maarten?

• Dentists can also be found on both parts of the island, in Saint Martin and in Sint Maarten.
• Dental care is of very good quality and is mainly provided by private clinics.
• Ask locals or other foreigners for advice to find out which dental practice is best for you!

How is pregnancy care arranged in Sint Maarten?

• On Sint Maarten, pregnancy care is offered in SMMC and private clinics.
• Through the SZV, women are entitled to 16 weeks of maternity leave, with 80% of their salary paid.
• Women with complex pregnancies can be referred to Curaçao, Colombia or the US.
• Standard pregnancy care can also be found in the French part, often free or cheap for residents with French health insurance.
• Deliveries take place in the Centre Hospitalier Louis-Constant Fleming. Abortion is legal and is performed at the SMMC and through some general practitioners.

How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Sint Maarten?

What should you pay attention to in terms of safety in Sint Maarten?

• Sint Maarten and Saint Martin are reasonably safe, especially compared to some other Caribbean islands.
• Petty crime does occur, especially in tourist areas such as Philipsburg and Marigot, and on busy beaches.
• Break-ins also occur, for example in hotels and cars. So it is better to store your valuables well and not leave them in the car!
• Crime that involves violence is rare.
• Another danger is natural disasters. Sint Maarten is located in the hurricane belt. Strong hurricanes can therefore occur during the hurricane season from June to November. Make sure you are well prepared for these types of situations!

What should you look out for in terms of diseases in Sint Maarten?

• Mosquito-borne diseases occur in the Caribbean. You can get dengue, chikungunya and zika, which will not make you happy. So protect yourself well against mosquitoes, especially in the rainy season!
• In general, tap water is safe to drink and food hygiene is good.
• Beware of sunstroke and dehydration, because it is quite warm and the humidity can cause you to lose a lot of fluids without noticing.

What should you pay attention to when it comes to traffic in Sint Maarten?

• Sint Maarten is known for its extremely slow and blocked traffic. The island is full of cars and has narrow roads, which means that traffic often comes to a standstill.
• What also doesn't help is that bridges have to be opened regularly for the large yachts that have to enter the harbors. As a result, cars often stand still for a long time.
• The roads are also not very good. The French part had better roads than the Dutch part for a long time, but even in the French part there are more and more holes in the road.
• In the Dutch part, the speed limit is 50 km/h on some roads, in the French part you are even allowed to tear over the holes in the road at 70 km/h. If you are going to live on the island alone as an expat, a scooter is your best option. This saves a lot of hassle with parking and you are faster in traffic!
• Public transport mainly consists of minibuses. These are also called Martin buses. Figuring our their routes may be a bit difficult to figure out at first, but if you live there for a while, this is the cheapest way to get around the island.
• Marigot Bus Terminal is the starting point for many of these buses.
• Water taxis are also an option. These are sometimes faster, but more expensive.
• Taxis are available, but an expensive form of transport if you need them often.

What work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in Sint Maarten?

• Is the trip to Sint Maarten and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.

What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for Sint Maarten if you are going to live there for a while?

• If you live in Sint Maarten/Saint Martin, you may already be required to have public insurance, but this insurance does not cover all healthcare. It is recommended to have your own international insurance to avoid high costs, especially in the event that medical evacuation or repatriation is necessary.
• Make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation as well as coverage in neighboring countries. Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.