No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nSt Martin and St Barthélemy are French overseas territories. The French authorities set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Consulate General of France in the UK.
\n\nYour passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave St Martin and St Barthélemy.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nCarry your residence document, as well as your passport, when entering or exiting St Martin or St Barthélemy.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
\n\nYou can visit St Martin and St Barthélemy without a visa for up to 3 months.
\n\nTo stay longer, to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons, check the visa application process and timelines on the French visa website.
\n\nThere is no physical border between the French and Dutch territories on the island of St Martin. People and goods may travel freely between the 2 sides of the island.
\n\nTo enter St Martin and St Barthélemy, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
\n\nFor full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s French overseas territories in the Carribean guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of St Martin or St Barthélemy. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
\n\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there’s no recent history of terrorism in St Martin or St Barthélemy, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nCrime levels are low in St Martin and St Barthélemy, but you should take sensible precautions.
\n\nYou can reduce your personal risk if you:
\n\nSt Martin and St Barthélemy are French overseas territories and French laws apply. See France travel advice.
\n\nYou must be able to prove your identity either by providing documents when asked or within 4 hours at a police station. Identity documents can be:
\n\nIf you are planning to drive in St Martin or St Barthélemy, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s France guide as French driving rules apply. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of.
\n\nYou can drive using your UK driving licence in St Martin and St Barthélemy.
\n\nThe hurricane season in St Martin and St Barthélemy normally runs from June to November. Monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organization and the US National Hurricane Center.
\n\nSee Extreme weather and natural hazards for advice about how to prepare and what to do if you’re likely to be affected by a hurricane.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nDial 15 or 112 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nContact your insurance or medical assistance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in St Martin and St Barthélemy, including:
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nHealthcare facilities, including emergency services, hospitals and the availability of doctors (GPs), are good and of an equivalent standard to those found in mainland France. Some specialist treatment may only be available on the larger French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique.
\n\nIf you’re planning a permanent move to St Martin or St Barthélemy, consult the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for advice on long-term entitlement to healthcare under the French national system. You should phone the DWP Overseas Medical Benefits helpline on +44 (0)191 218 1999.
\n\nAlternatively, you can get information from the English-language service of the Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie (the French social security service) on +33 (0)820 90 42 12 or CLEISS.
\n\nSt Martin is an outermost region of the EU. Apply for a free UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. If you already have an EHIC, it will still be valid if it remains in date.
\n\nThe GHIC or EHIC entitles you to state-provided medical treatment necessary during your trip. Any treatment provided is on the same terms as St Martin nationals. If you do not have your card with you or you’ve lost it, contact the NHS Overseas Healthcare Team.
\n\nIt’s important to take out appropriate travel insurance for your needs. A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance and you should have both before you travel. A GHIC or EHIC does not cover all health-related costs, for example, medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment and non-urgent treatment. Read more about what your travel insurance should cover.
\n\nGHIC and EHIC cover state healthcare only, not private treatment. You will be responsible for the cost of any treatment provided by a private doctor or private clinic.
\n\nFor more information read guidance on healthcare when travelling in Europe.
\n\nSt Barthélemy is not part of the EU, for the purposes of the EU regulations governing access to healthcare. You cannot get any form of free healthcare there. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nTelephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
\n\nor
\n\nAmbulance: 15
\n\nFire: 18
\n\nPolice: 17
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThe Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in France on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
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