São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship in 2026: requirements, steps, and costs

7 benefits of São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment

With a São Tomé and Príncipe passport, investors can enter the country at any time, optimise taxes, apply for residence in the EU, and expand the number of visa-free destinations available for travel.

1. Short passport processing time

The investor’s citizenship application is reviewed within 8—10 weeks. A São Tomé and Príncipe passport can be obtained from 6 months. The actual timeframe depends on the readiness of the documents and the speed of the country’s immigration service.

2. Fully remote process

There is no need to travel to the country to submit the application, attend an interview, or obtain the passport. Passportivity, a licensed agent of the São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship programme, helps prepare and submit the application.

3. Citizenship for the whole family

Together with the investor, a spouse, minor children, parents, and grandparents over 55 can obtain a São Tomé and Príncipe passport. To include parents and older relatives in the application, the investor must prove that these relatives are financially dependent on them.

4. Low investment threshold

Investors can obtain São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship with an investment starting at $90,000. For a family of four, the amount increases to $95,000. Each additional applicant costs an additional $5,000.

This investment threshold is one of the lowest in the world. For comparison, Sierra Leone citizenship can be obtained with an investment starting at $95,000, while a Vanuatu passport requires an investment of $130,000 or more.

5. Path to residence and accelerated naturalisation in Portugal

The investor can use the passport as a travel document and to obtain a visa for countries of the Portuguese-speaking community, CPLP. Portugal is among them ^[1] Source: The full list of member states is published on the official Commonwealth website .

Citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe can obtain a special CPLP visa at the Portuguese consulate and, after entering the country, apply for a residence permit with the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum. The status is valid for 2 years and can then be extended for another 3 years.

Foreign nationals with a passport of a CPLP country can apply for Portuguese citizenship after 7 years of residence in the country. The standard naturalisation period is 10 years.

6. Access to European residence

A São Tomé and Príncipe passport allows citizens of certain countries that do not have access with their first passport to apply for investment residence in the EU. For example, São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship allows them to apply for a Greek residence permit by investment.

7. Visa-free travel

A São Tomé and Príncipe passport allows visa-free entry to 104 countries. These include Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and South Africa. Investors can travel more easily for business meetings, international conferences, and negotiations with partners without spending time applying for visas in advance.

São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment: what investors need to know

Obtaining citizenship is regulated by law, while the exercise of civil rights and freedoms is governed by the Constitution of São Tomé and Príncipe. To obtain a passport, a foreign national provides a complete set of documents and fulfils the investment requirement.

São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship laws

The basic rules governing São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship are established by the country’s Constitution and Nationality Law No. 07/2022 ^[2] Source: The text of the law is published in the São Tomé and Príncipe Official Gazette . Under the Constitution, a citizen of São Tomé and Príncipe who lives or stays abroad retains the same rights and obligations as other citizens ^[3] Source: The text of the Constitution is published in the web version . This means the investor does not need to live in the country after obtaining the passport.

Law No. 07/2022 regulates citizenship by birth, descent, marriage or registered partnership, adoption, historical grounds, and naturalisation. Article 10 of the law provides for citizenship to be granted to an investor who contributes to the development of the country.

The mechanism for obtaining citizenship by investment is regulated by Decree-Law No. 07/2025. It establishes the passport application procedure and sets out the conditions of the citizenship by investment programme, Programa de Cidadania por Investimento ou Doação ^[4] Source: Decree-Law No. 07/2025 is published in the Government Gazette of São Tomé and Príncipe .

Requirements for citizenship applicants

Citizens of any country can apply for citizenship, except citizens of North Korea. Under the current legislation, applicants for a São Tomé and Príncipe passport may hold no more than two other citizenships.

The main applicant must be at least 18 years old. They must also prove that they have no criminal record or serious health issues. During the check, the applicant’s background, presence on sanctions lists, and source of capital are reviewed, as well as whether they pose a threat to state security.

Citizenship requirements

To obtain citizenship, the applicant makes a non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund. The funds are directed to projects in renewable energy, education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.

The contribution for a single applicant is $90,000, while for a couple or family of up to four people it is $95,000. An additional $5,000 is paid for the fifth and each subsequent applicant.

The investment contribution is paid only after the citizenship application has been approved. At the initial stage, the applicant submits the required documents, pays the $5,250 application fee, and undergoes a government background check.

Requirements for the investor’s family members

The family application can include close relatives:

• spouse of the opposite sex;
• children;
• spouses’ parents, grandparents.

If the relationship with the spouse is not officially registered, the applicant must prove cohabitation. Joint bank accounts, utility bills, documents confirming joint trips, and other evidence of a shared household can be used for this purpose.

Minor children can be included in the application without restrictions.

For adult dependants, children aged 30 or younger, as well as parents and grandparents over 55, temporary restrictions on passport issuance apply. This is due to pending amendments to the legislation. They can be listed in the application as financially dependent on the investor, but they will only be able to obtain a passport after the new rules come into force.

What additional expenses does an investor incur when obtaining citizenship?

The main payment for an investor applying for São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship is the non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund. However, there are other expenses involved in obtaining the passport.

A $5,250 application fee is charged when the application is submitted. It is non-refundable even if the application is not approved.

After the application is approved and the investment requirement is fulfilled, an additional $250 is paid for the citizenship certificate, $350 for passport issuance, and $150 for the national identity card. The services of a licensed agent, translator, and notary are paid for separately.

Costs of obtaining São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship

Item	Amount	When to pay
Investment	$90,000 For a single applicant $95,000 For a family of four	After approval of the application to participate in the citizenship programme
Application submission	$5,250	When submitting the application
Citizenship certificate issuance	$250 per person	After receiving confirmation that the investment has been credited to the National Transformation Fund
Passport issuance	$350 per person
National ID issuance	$150 per person
Translation and notarisation of documents	$1,000+	When preparing the documents before submitting the application

Meeting with the Chief Operating Officer of the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship Programme

Passportivity organised a business breakfast with Alfredo Trindade, Chief Operating Officer of the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship Programme. He told the guests about the key requirements, timelines, and specifics of obtaining citizenship by investment.

Among the main benefits for investors, Alfredo Trindade highlighted the fully remote process, the short application processing time, the opportunity to use banks in São Tomé and Príncipe for international transfers, and the prospect of obtaining “Golden Visas” in EU countries.

How many investors have already obtained a São Tomé and Príncipe passport

In September 2026, the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship Department published a report on its first year of operations ^[5] Source: The electronic version of the report .

A total of 548 applications were submitted: 350 were approved, while another 186 are still under review.

As of September 1st, 2026, São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship had been granted to 29 applicants. The average time from application submission to obtaining a passport was four months.

Over the year, citizens of 72 countries submitted citizenship applications. Most applications came from citizens of five countries:

1. China — 159.
2. Russia — 122.
3. Iran — 50.
4. Germany — 28.
5. Kuwait — 10.

During this period, the National Transformation Fund received approximately $9,800,000. The fund allocates money to infrastructure and government projects for the long-term development of São Tomé and Príncipe. 

The investments have already financed the installation of new generators to strengthen the energy system and IT equipment for ministries and other government institutions.

What opportunities does a São Tomé and Príncipe passport provide to investors?

São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship can help investors diversify their international opportunities. A second passport provides an additional travel document, creates new options for international banking and asset management, and may facilitate future residence in countries with special migration arrangements for São Tomé and Príncipe citizens.

For entrepreneurs operating across several markets, these advantages can form part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on a single jurisdiction. However, citizenship does not automatically grant access to foreign bank accounts or change tax and financial regulations. Each banking or investment arrangement remains subject to the relevant country's requirements.

Citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe can also travel visa-free to destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and South Africa. This can be useful for attending business meetings, visiting suppliers, and participating in international exhibitions.

What does São Tomé and Príncipe’s membership in the CPLP provide?

São Tomé and Príncipe is a member of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries, or CPLP. This association creates special migration mechanisms in certain member states, primarily Portugal and Brazil.

Portugal: special residence permit for CPLP citizens 

Citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe can obtain a residence permit in Portugal under the Autorização de Residência CPLP. First, they need to obtain a national visa and, after entering the country, apply for a residence permit with the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum of Portugal.

A Portuguese residence permit allows travel within the Schengen Area without a separate visa, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. However, it does not grant the right to live or work permanently in other Schengen countries.

A reduced period for obtaining citizenship may apply to citizens of CPLP countries in Portugal. São Tomé and Príncipe passport holders can apply for naturalisation after seven years of residence in the country instead of the standard ten.

Brazil: visa and residence permit for CPLP citizens

Brazil has a separate process for obtaining residence for citizens of CPLP countries. A foreign national with a São Tomé and Príncipe passport can apply for a temporary visa at a Brazilian consulate, then enter the country and obtain a residence permit at a Federal Police office.

The temporary visa is valid for 12 months. After entering the country, the applicant must apply for a residence permit within 90 days.

For citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries, Brazil provides for simplified naturalisation after one year of continuous residence. The general naturalisation period is four years.

What documents does an investor need to obtain São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship?

The list of documents required to apply for citizenship is established by Decree-Law No. 07/2025 ^[6] Source: The text of the law is published in the Government Gazette of São Tomé and Príncipe .

Main documents:

• citizenship application form;
• passport;
• birth certificate;
• second identity document: driver’s licence, residence permit, or national ID;
• printed and electronic photograph;
• certificate of no criminal record;
• proof of income;
• bank reference letter;
• proof of address;
• medical examination form confirming the applicant’s health;
• military ID with a copy of all pages.

By the time the application is submitted, all certificates must have been issued no more than six months earlier. The certificate of no criminal record must be no more than three months old.

Documents for family members. If the main applicant’s relatives are also applying for citizenship, the following documents are required:

• proof of marital status;
• affidavit of support for adult dependants;
• declaration from the non-accompanying parent if an applicant under 18 is included in the application.

All documents must be translated into English by an accredited translator or licensed company. All document copies must be in colour.

Non-investment ways to obtain São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship

A São Tomé and Príncipe passport can be obtained not only through investment but also on other grounds. Non-investment routes to citizenship are regulated by Nationality Law No. 07/2022 ^[7] Source: The text of the law is published in the São Tomé and Príncipe Official Gazette .

By birth

São Tomé and Príncipe has a limited form of jus soli. A child born in the country to foreign parents may acquire citizenship by birth if their parents reside in São Tomé and Príncipe and are not serving a foreign state.

Birth in the country alone does not confer a right to citizenship.

By descent

São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by descent is available to children and descendants of citizens of the country. The categories of applicants who may qualify for citizenship by descent include:

• children of São Tomé and Príncipe citizens who were born in the country;
• children and grandchildren of São Tomé and Príncipe citizens who were born abroad and have applied for citizenship of the country.

To apply for citizenship by descent, the applicant will need a birth certificate and a copy of their passport, the birth certificate of the parent who is a citizen of the country, a declaration of the intention to obtain citizenship, and a petition addressed to the Minister of Justice ^[8] Source: The list of required documents is published on the website of the Directorate-General of Registries and Notary Services of São Tomé and Príncipe .

By naturalisation

Foreign nationals who have permanently resided in São Tomé and Príncipe for at least five years may apply for citizenship by naturalisation. They must prove knowledge of Portuguese or any national language, integration into society, a permanent source of income, and no criminal record.

To apply for citizenship, the following documents are required:

• application addressed to the Minister of Justice of São Tomé and Príncipe;
• birth certificate;
• certificate of no criminal record in São Tomé and Príncipe and the country of origin;
• certificate from the immigration service;
• proof of residence in São Tomé and Príncipe, such as utility bills or a property rental agreement;
• employment certificate;
• proof of tax payments in São Tomé and Príncipe;
• certified copy of the São Tomé and Príncipe residence card.

The citizenship application is reviewed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. The law establishes a maximum processing time of 30 days.

When submitting the documents, the applicant pays a government fee of $206 for the standard process and $268 for expedited processing of the application within three days.

Through marriage or de facto cohabitation

A spouse of a São Tomé and Príncipe citizen may apply for citizenship after five years of officially registered marriage. The right to apply remains only until the marriage is dissolved.

The spouse submits the following documents with the application:

• birth certificates;
• marriage certificate;
• certificates of no criminal record in São Tomé and Príncipe and the foreign spouse’s country of origin;
• registered address in São Tomé and Príncipe;
• certified copy of the foreign spouse’s passport and identity document.

The government fee for acquiring citizenship through marriage is $92. Expedited processing costs $120. The registration service website states that applications are processed within 15 days under the standard procedure and 3 days under the expedited procedure.

Cohabitation is treated as equivalent to marriage if it is confirmed by a court decision. Cohabitation can be proved through joint purchases, trips, property rental payments, or utility bills.

Only after the relationship has been recognised can the applicant apply for citizenship. The minimum period of cohabitation required to obtain citizenship is three years.

For special merits

Foreign nationals who have made a significant contribution to the development of the country, science, or culture, or who have achieved a high level in sports, may obtain a São Tomé and Príncipe passport.

Such foreign nationals obtain citizenship through naturalisation, but exceptions to the general rules may apply. For example, an applicant may be exempted from the requirement to prove knowledge of one of the official languages or to comply with the five-year residence requirement in the country.

The decision to apply such exceptions is made individually in each case.

Why an application may be refused or citizenship revoked

Citizenship will be refused if the applicant has a criminal record, is subject to sanctions, cannot prove the source of their capital, or poses a threat to national security. These circumstances are checked during the application review. An application may also be rejected due to an incomplete set of documents, errors in the forms, or the submission of knowingly false information.

In the event of a refusal, the applicant has the right to appeal. The fee for reviewing an appeal is $5,000.

Citizenship may be revoked if a person voluntarily renounces it, acquires a fourth citizenship, or commits a crime against the state.

How to renew a São Tomé and Príncipe passport

São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship is granted indefinitely. However, the passport must be renewed every seven years for adult citizens and every three years for children aged 16 or younger.

To renew the passport, the investor contacts the migration authorities in São Tomé and Príncipe or the country’s consulate abroad. as a licensed agent, Passportivity takes care of renewing the investor’s passport.

The entire procedure is completed remotely. The investor provides the documents to the lawyers and pays the $500 government fee. The passport renewal application must include:

• certified copy of the valid passport;
• certified copy of the national ID card;
• proof of payment of the fee.

Passportivity submits the documents to the Programme Department, receives the new document, and sends it to the investor.

What taxes does an investor with São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship pay?

Citizenship itself does not make a person a tax resident of São Tomé and Príncipe or require them to pay taxes there. A person becomes a tax resident if they spend more than 183 days in the country per year.

Non-residents pay tax only on income earned within the country. At the same time, they may remain liable for taxes in their country of tax residence.

Tax residents of São Tomé and Príncipe pay tax on their worldwide income. The tax rate is calculated on a progressive scale depending on annual income:

• up to $530 — 0%;
• $530 to 2,300 — 10%;
• $2,300 to 4,500 — 13%;
• $4,500 to 6,800 — 15%;
• $6,800 to 10,900 — 20%;
• $10,900 to 19,075 — 25%;
• over $19,075 — 30%.

Companies in São Tomé and Príncipe pay corporate income tax at a rate of 25%, calculated on the company’s net profit. For new types of activities and companies operating in key sectors, the rate is reduced to 10%. Key economic sectors include tourism, agriculture, and fishing.

Comparison of citizenship programmes in São Tomé and Príncipe, Naoero, Vanuatu, and Sierra Leone

Country	Minimum investment	Passport processing time	Mandatory residence in the country
São Tomé and Príncipe	$90,000	6+ months	No
Sierra Leone	$95,000	6+ months	No
Vanuatu	$130,000	3+ months	No
Naoero	$90,000	3+ months	No

What risks and limitations does a São Tomé and Príncipe passport impose on an investor?

Obtaining São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment gives the investor the corresponding status, but it is important to consider practical and international limitations.

Risk of losing citizenship. Citizenship may be revoked if it is discovered that the applicant provided false information, used forged documents, or obtained citizenship through fraudulent means.

Limit on the number of passports. São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship is lost upon acquiring a fourth citizenship.

No visa-free residence in the EU or US. A São Tomé and Príncipe passport does not allow visa-free entry to the Schengen Area, the US, the UK, or Canada.

Key points about São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment

1. A São Tomé and Príncipe passport allows visa-free entry, visa-on-arrival, or entry with an electronic travel authorisation to 104 countries.
2. São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship can be obtained through an investment starting from $90,000.
3. For investors, the path to citizenship takes from 6 months. There is no need to travel to the country; all stages are completed remotely.
4. An application to participate in the São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment programme can only be submitted through a licensed agent, such as Passportivity.