Hello,

Am I correct that EU citizens may freely seek employment on St. Martin? I've not had much luck tracking down authoritative information on this subject.

Thanks very much for any insight you may be able to provide.

Sandor

yes, that is true..on the French side..not on the Dutch side.

Thanks, Barbara. Mind if I ask you if you're quite convinced of that? Seems every time I hear someone voice your viewpoint, someone comes out of the woodwork with a dissenting view.

Again, I really appreciate your reply.

Sincerely,
Sandor

actually, yes, it does concern me.
We are a small island and an influx of foreigners who can take jobs away from islanders can be a problem.

Barbara, what was the source of your information regarding the eligibility of EU citizens to work in St. Martin? Are you quite satisfied that that information is accurate and current?

Sandor

the source?
I live here!

Yes, I understand that; where I live, I've found that it's possible for even residents to occasionally interpret rules and regulations differently than the people doing the ruling. Please don't take offence; I'm simply trying to determine if the matter of EU employment eligibility is 100% certain and assured or if it's possible that a government official on St. Martin may have a different legal interpretation than perhaps you and many other locals may have.

Fair enough?

Thanks!

Sandor

as far as I understand, it is certain.

Barbara, would you be able to suggest to me a local agency or department where I might seek some additional information regarding employment rules, etc.?

I am sorry but as far as the french side, I truly have no idea.
I'll ask one of my friends though

Thanks! I appreciate it.

Now...from your perspective, what are the very best and very worst things about living where you do...lifestyle, social, weather, things I might not have considered...?

Do you have any strong feelings?

I am one of the Barbara's source (one of the many). I am a French citizen, living in sxm since almost 20 years, operated business on both sides (as well as reside on both sides) . the French side is French , administered by Paris. It became recently a "collectivite territortiale", was previously a "commune de France" but the change didn't affected its European status. The French side is part of the European Union, and people who carry European passport (from the Shengen zone) are allowed to live and work there. I can confirm what Barbara said, she knows. We have many European citizen who work here, open business without any problem and the exact same process than a french citizen.
If you still have doubt there is nothing easier than to google the informations or to contact the Conseil General de la collectivite territoriale (05.90.29.13.10), the "service de la police aux frontiere" (05.90.87.07.62), the "sous-prefecture" (05.90.29.09.04), "inspection du travail" (05.90.29.02.25) or the "chambre de commerce" (05.90.87.84.42)... But be ready to speak french with all those services since they are French administration...

Thanks so much for letting us all benefit from the info.
I have an addl. question though:
Why is it only the French part that is under the EU rules. I thought the Dutch were EU members as well?

Sandor Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, I understand that; where I live, I've found
> that it's possible for even residents to
> occasionally interpret rules and regulations
> differently than the people doing the ruling.
> Please don't take offence; I'm simply trying to
> determine if the matter of EU employment
> eligibility is 100% certain and assured or if it's
> possible that a government official on St. Martin
> may have a different legal interpretation than
> perhaps you and many other locals may have.
>
> Fair enough?
>
> Thanks!
>
> Sandor

tabba khady Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am one of the Barbara's source (one of the
> many). I am a French citizen, living in sxm since
> almost 20 years, operated business on both sides
> (as well as reside on both sides) . the French
> side is French , administered by Paris. It became
> recently a "collectivite territortiale", was
> previously a "commune de France" but the change
> didn't affected its European status. The French
> side is part of the European Union, and people who
> carry European passport (from the Shengen zone)
> are allowed to live and work there. I can confirm
> what Barbara said, she knows. We have many
> European citizen who work here, open business
> without any problem and the exact same process
> than a french citizen.
> If you still have doubt there is nothing easier
> than to google the informations or to contact the
> Conseil General de la collectivite territoriale
> (05.90.29.13.10), the "service de la police aux
> frontiere" (05.90.87.07.62), the "sous-prefecture"
> (05.90.29.09.04), "inspection du travail"
> (05.90.29.02.25) or the "chambre de commerce"
> (05.90.87.84.42)... But be ready to speak french
> with all those services since they are French
> administration...

Thank you for your detailed and informed reply; it is the most authoritative (and convincing) I have received on any forum and am now confident of my eligibility to work on the island. I did, in fact, contact the agencies you referred to for specific employment information; not one replied.

Again, I appreciate your insights.

Sincerely,
Sandor

daneabroad. you are correct..
the Netherlands are part of the EU too, but the Dutch side of St. Maarten is a part of the Netherlands Antilles, which is semi autonomous. We are part of the Kingdom but somewhat separate from the Netherlands itself.