# São Tomé and Príncipe

Source: https://www.savoryandpartners.com/programs/citizenship-by-investment/sao-tome-principe · Updated: 2026-10-09

Discover São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment program cost, benefits, application process. Improve your passport portfolio with a São Tomé and Príncipe passport.

## São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Requirements

In 2025, São Tomé and Príncipe introduced its Citizenship by Investment Program, making it one of the most recent additions to the global investment migration market.

Applicants contribute to the country’s National Transformation Fund, which supports long-term national priorities such as renewable energy, eco-tourism, education, infrastructure, and social development.

This initiative provides a straightforward, fast-track route to second citizenship while actively supporting the sustainable growth of one of Africa’s most peaceful island nations.

## Main Applicant Requirements

- Be at least 18 years old
- Be in good health
- Hold a clean criminal record
- Pass due diligence checks (interview may be requested in rare cases)
- Provide proof of a legitimate source of funds
- Provide the required medical certificate

## Eligible Dependents

- Spouse or de facto partner
- Children up to age 30, subject to the programme’s dependency requirements
- Parents or grandparents aged 55+, subject to the programme’s dependency requirements

## Nationality Restrictions

- Eligibility may be restricted for nationals of jurisdictions designated by the Government under applicable sanctions, security or judicial-cooperation rules. Confirm the current exclusion list at the time of application.

## São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Benefits

## Visa-Free Travel

Visa-free access to 93+ countries.

## Guaranteed by Law

The program is established under the Citizenship Act and has been officially backed by the government since 2025.

## Fast and Straightforward Process

Average decision time of about 2 months, followed by approximately 3-4 months for the post-approval passport stage.

## No Visit or Residency Requirements

Applicants are not required to visit or reside in São Tomé and Príncipe to obtain or maintain their citizenship.

## Inclusive Family Policy

Citizenship can be extended to your spouse, children up to age 30, and parents or grandparents over 55.

## Dual Citizenship Permitted

São Tomé and Príncipe permits multiple nationality. Applicants should also confirm the rules of their existing nationality.

## Tax Residence Is Separate from Citizenship

Citizenship alone does not determine tax residence. Tax treatment depends on residence status, income source and the individual’s circumstances.

## Legal Basis in São Tomé and Príncipe

The programme is governed by São Tomé and Príncipe Nationality Law No. 7/2022, as amended, together with Decree-Law No. 07/2025 of 1 August 2025, which approved the Regulation of Nationality by Investment or Donation.

## Costs of São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment

There is one qualifying route for the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program: a contribution to the National Transformation Fund (NTF). This one-time payment is directed to the Fund and managed by the Citizenship Unit of the government.

## National Transformation Fund

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Single Applicant | $90,000 |
| Family of 2-4 | $95,000 |
| Each Additional Qualifying Dependant | $5,000 |
| Due Diligence & Processing Fee | $5,000 per application |

## Government fees

Certificate of Registration + Passport + National ID

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Citizenship Documents | $750 per applicant |

## Adding Dependents After Approval

Post-approval inclusion fees (not applicable to newborn-child requests) apply when qualifying dependants are added after approval-in-principle.

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Spouse | $10,000 |
| Each Other Qualifying Dependant | $5,000 |
| Newborn child up to 1 Year | $500 |
| Post-Approval Inclusion Submission Fee | $5,000 per request |

## Sponsored Application Due Diligence Fee

Where a benefactor sponsors the application, the benefactor must provide the required supporting documents and complete due diligence.

| Item | Amount |
| --- | --- |
| Benefactor Due Diligence Fee | $5,000 |

## Application Process For São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment

The CIU indicates an average decision time of approximately 2 months. The post-approval passport stage typically takes a further 3-4 months.

1. Appoint a licensed Marketing Agent and prepare the application documents.
2. Submit the complete electronic application and pay the US$5,000 due-diligence/processing fee.
3. The CIU completes preliminary review and comprehensive due diligence. Additional information or an interview may be requested.
4. After the statutory prior opinion, the CIU Director issues the approval or refusal decision.
5. If approved, pay the National Transformation Fund contribution within 90 days.
6. Complete the Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance.
7. The CIU sends the file to the Central Registry for transcription and registration.
8. Citizenship documents, National ID and passport are issued after registration.

## Application Process

Approx. 5-6 Months

## Visa-free Countries for São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment

Visa-free destinations: 

A second passport from São Tomé and Príncipe grants visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or eVisa access to 93+ destinations worldwide. This includes strategic locations such as South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong (SAR China), and several European and African regions. With a minimum contribution of $90,000, investors and their families can secure São Toméan citizenship and enjoy global mobility combined with the benefits of a peaceful, eco-conscious island lifestyle.

### Visa-free access (26 countries & territories)

- Bahamas
- Benin
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Jamaica
- Kosovo
- Malaysia
- Micronesia
- Nicaragua
- Palestine
- Panama
- Philippines
- Rwanda
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Zambia

### Visa on arrival (25 countries & territories)

- Bangladesh
- Bolivia
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cape Verde
- Comoros
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Jordan
- Laos
- Macao
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Palau
- Saint Lucia
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Tanzania
- Timor-Leste
- Tuvalu

### eVisa access (48 countries & territories)

- Albania
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahrain
- Bhutan
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Chad
- Colombia
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Cuba
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Guinea
- Indonesia
- Iran
- Iraq
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Mauritania
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Nigeria
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Qatar
- Russia
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Suriname
- Syria
- Thailand
- Togo
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Vietnam
- Zimbabwe

### Visa required (99 countries & territories)

- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Andorra
- Argentina
- Armenia
- Australia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Central African Republic
- Chile
- China
- Congo
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Dominican Republic
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Hungary
- Iceland
- India
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Mali
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Myanmar
- Nauru
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Niger
- North Korea
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Tonga
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- Turkmenistan
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican City
- Venezuela
- Yemen

## Client Success Stories

## Download brochure

- Length: 4 pages
- Language: English & Arabic
- size: 1 mb

**Content**
- São Tomé and Príncipe Country Profile
- Benefits of the Program
- Investment Requirements
- Investment Process

## About São Tomé and Príncipe

- CAPITAL: São Tomé
- TOTAL AREA: 1,001 km²
- POPULATION: 233,100
- LANGUAGE(S): Portuguese
- CURRENCY: São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STN)
- EXCHANGE RATE: $1 = STN 21
- GDP – PER CAPITA (2025): $3,570
- GDP – TOTAL (2025): $860 million

### About São Tomé and Príncipe

The islands of São Tomé and Príncipe are among Africa’s most untouched treasures, set in the Gulf of Guinea off the coast of Central Africa.

Known for their pristine beaches, lush rainforests, and rare biodiversity, the islands offer a unique combination of natural beauty and political stability.

Often called the “African Galápagos,” São Tomé and Príncipe provides a relaxed lifestyle surrounded by dramatic volcanic peaks, cocoa plantations, and turquoise waters.

Its culture blends African and European influences, with Portuguese as the official language and a vibrant mix of traditions shaping local life.

The economy is supported by eco-tourism, cocoa production, agriculture, and renewable energy projects, while the government is increasingly committed to sustainable development.

This focus makes the country not only an attractive place to live but also a meaningful destination for investment.

With a population of just over 200,000 people, São Tomé and Príncipe offers safety, tranquility, and accessibility.

Citizens enjoy visa-free access to several regions, and the country maintains strong international partnerships, benefiting from its favorable tax environment and global connectivity.

São Tomé and Príncipe is a full member of the United Nations, African Union, Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), and the World Bank, reflecting its international standing.

The islands’ charm lies in their balance: a peaceful small-nation lifestyle with the advantages of global mobility. For investors and families, São Tomé and Príncipe is a path to both opportunity and serenity.

### Where is São Tomé and Príncipe?

São Tomé and Príncipe is a small two-island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western coast of Central Africa. It lies close to the equator, about 250 km (155 miles) from the coast of Gabon, making it one of the most naturally rich and biodiverse countries in the region.