São Tomé and Príncipe in 2026: who it suits and how the process works

How the program works

The program has been running since 2025, and it is operated by a government citizenship-by-investment unit. You cannot apply directly, only through a licensed agent. There is one investment route: a non-refundable contribution to the state national transformation fund, which finances energy, housing, education and ports. There are no real estate or business options.

What it costs

On top of the contribution there are mandatory fees for processing the application, due diligence and issuing the documents; the amount depends on the family composition. The licensed agent's work is paid for separately. We will make an exact calculation for your family at a free consultation. If the application is refused, service fees are not refunded (the contribution itself has not been paid at that stage).

Even with all the payments, this is the lowest entry point among the citizenship-by-investment programs now running: cheaper than Vanuatu and noticeably cheaper than the Caribbean programs.

Who can be included in the application

The main applicant must be over 18, have no criminal record and show that the money has a legal origin. The application can also cover:

• a spouse;
• children under 30 who are unmarried and financially dependent;
• parents aged 55 and over.

How the process works

1. Agreement with the agent and collection of the file — 2–4 weeks: translations, police clearance certificates, proof of the source of funds.
2. Filing the application and paying the fees.
3. Due diligence officially takes 3–4 weeks; realistically, allow up to 2 months.
4. Approval, after which the contribution to the fund is paid.
5. Oath and issue of the documents: the naturalization certificate and the passport. You do not need to fly to the islands, and since spring 2026 even the biometrics can be done by video call.

What the passport gives you

Mobility in Africa and Asia. Around 60 destinations without a visa or with a visa on arrival: Hong Kong (14 days), Singapore (30 days), South Africa and most African countries, part of the Caribbean and Asia. But the Schengen area, the UK, the US, Canada and even Brazil require a visa. The E-2 investor visa to the US is not available with this passport either. As a travel document it is one of the more modest passports among investment programs: people take it for the status and as a fallback, not for visa-free travel.

Taxes. Citizenship by itself creates no tax obligations. You become a tax resident by living in the country for at least 183 days a year. Non-residents pay tax only on income from local sources; foreign income is not taxed. Residents pay on worldwide income on a progressive scale of up to 25%; there are no wealth or inheritance taxes. And the passport does not release you from tax obligations in the country where you actually live.

Status. Citizenship is granted for life, is passed down to your heirs, and dual citizenship is allowed.

Is it worth moving there

Most investors do not move to the islands, but for the full picture: this is one of the safest and calmest countries in Africa, with an unhurried pace of life. Living there is inexpensive: one person spends roughly €800–950 a month depending on their needs, and a one-bedroom apartment in the center of the capital rents for about €230. The drawbacks are island ones: power cuts, unstable internet, expensive imports. Healthcare is not built for emergencies or serious cases: serious treatment means a flight to Gabon or Lisbon. There are no international schools, so permanent life here does not suit families with children.

Drawbacks and risks

1. The passport is weak. No Schengen, no UK, no US; you need a visa even for Brazil.
2. The program is young. The rules have already been adjusted along the way, including a restriction on holders of three or more citizenships.
3. A general trend toward visa restrictions. Both the US and the EU have been rethinking their attitude to golden passports in recent years. This applies to all investment programs, not only São Tomé.
4. Timelines are growing. The queue of applications is getting longer, and you should not plan for less than three months.
5. If the application is refused, service fees are not refunded.

Who it suits, and who it does not

It suits: those looking for the cheapest plan B and a second passport held in reserve; those for whom it matters that the whole process is remote, with no visits and no interviews.

It does not suit: those who need visa-free travel to the Schengen area, the UK or the US — for that, the Caribbean programs are a better place to look; holders of three or more citizenships; those expecting a European passport without moving.

What next

São Tomé and Príncipe is a niche instrument: the most affordable one and fully remote, but with modest visa-free travel and caveats about timelines. Whether it fits you depends on which passports you already hold and what you want to have in 5–7 years. Book a free Migronis consultation: migronis.com/consultation. We will go through your case and tell you whether São Tomé is worth taking or whether another program is the better choice.