Saba News News and Information from Saba Island, Dutch Caribbean

Access to basic needs such as hous­ing and a clean, healthy, and sustainable environ­ment is under serious pressure in the Caribbean Netherlands. This was re­ported by the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights (College voor de Rechten van de Mens), the national human rights watchdog. The body recently pub­lished two independent …

The Island Council of Saba has officially launched the implementation of a comprehensive digital governance platform, marking a significant milestone in the island’s commitment to transparent and accessible public administration. The integrated system encompasses a redesigned council website, the iBabs Council Information System (RIS) with public portal functionality, and live …

The Saba Tourist Bureau recently welcomed leading international journalists and a high-profile influencer to experience and share the island’s breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and conservation initiatives. The visits highlight Saba’s commitment to sustainable tourism and position the island as one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets. International Media Coverage Journalists Nick …

On Wednesday, August 20, a comprehensive traffic control operation was carried out on Saba in collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee and Customs. The coordinated effort was aimed at improving road safety and monitoring the transport of potentially illegal goods across the island. During the inspection, officers stopped and checked …

The Island Council of St. Eustatius voted Thursday afternoon to dismiss the current members of the Gwendoline van Putten School Board, effective September 15, 2025, following a motion introduced by Councilman Clyde van Putten. The motion also authorized the appointment of an interim board to assume the outgoing board’s responsibilities, with …

This month, a baseline measurement will begin to map out the current housing stock on Saba, commissioned by the Ministry of Housing and Spatial Planning (VRO). This assessment is necessary to understand Saba’s housing needs and improve address registration. As part of this baseline, a housing surveyor will visit and …

Traffic Safety Check Conducted at Fortbay On Friday, August 15th, police conducted a scheduled traffic safety checkpoint at Fortbay, focusing on driver compliance with essential road safety regulations. During the operation, officers inspected eight vehicles, checking for valid driver’s licenses, current insurance coverage, and compliance with window tinting regulations. The …

Although the tax regime in the BES islands does not include a complicated profit tax, many other taxes remain, and entrepreneurs and individuals are sometimes confronted with difficult situations that require practical and workable solutions. On Thursday, August 21, Jorik Julsing, Tax Director with HBN Law & Tax, will return …

Long-term occupation of land on the six Caribbean islands within the Kingdom of the Netherlands no longer guarantees ownership rights, according to a comprehensive analysis of more than 75 court decisions involving so-called “old estates.” The government increasingly invokes the domain principle, whereby undivided land without registered ownership automatically becomes …

The Central Government is inviting public input on proposed legislation that would introduce 16 significant tax changes for Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba. The consultation period opens on Saturday, August 16, 2025, and will remain open through Monday, September 15, 2025. About the Proposed Changes The proposed amendments will be …