São Bartolomeu

Passport validity requirements

Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the date you plan to leave St Martin and St Barthélemy. 

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You 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.

Residents

Carry your residence document, as well as your passport, when entering or exiting St Martin or St Barthélemy.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can visit St Martin and St Barthélemy without a visa for up to 3 months.

To 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.

Travel between St Martin and St Maarten

There 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.

Vaccine requirements

To 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.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s French overseas territories in the Carribean guide.

Customs rules

There 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.

Customs rules

There 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.

Emergency services in St Martin and St Barthélemy

Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)

or

Ambulance: 15

Fire: 18

Police: 17

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact 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.

Refunds and changes to travel

For 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.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO  

Help abroad   

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.  

Help in the UK   

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.   

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)   

Find out about call charges 

Get travel advice updates   

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.   

Follow FCDO:  

• travel advice on X 

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The 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.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The 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.

Get travel advice updates 

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO:    

• travel advice on X 

• travel advice on Facebook 

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

St Martin and St Barthélemy are French overseas territories and French laws apply. See France travel advice.

Personal ID

You 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:

• a passport
• a photocard driving licence
• other documentation provided by a government body