São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment
Second passport in 2–4 months — 100% remote process, no relocation or language tests required. Open to applicants worldwide.
- Investment from $90,000 — one contribution covers the entire family including parents
- Visa-free access to 70+ countries — Americas, Asia, Africa, Oceania
- 0% tax on foreign income — lifetime citizenship, hereditary
Free Consultation
We'll calculate the cost based on your family
(non-refundable fund contribution)
from application submission
Americas, Asia, Africa, Oceania
territorial tax system
Following recent threshold increases in Caribbean citizenship programs (raised to $200,000+), demand for African and Oceanian jurisdictions is rising. We recommend applying before program terms are revised.
Benefits
What the São Tomé and Príncipe Passport Offers
Legal Tax Optimization
São Tomé and Príncipe uses a territorial tax system: only income earned within the country is subject to taxation. Income from foreign business, investments, and assets falls entirely outside the tax perimeter.
- 0% — tax on foreign income, dividends, and royalties
- 0% — capital gains tax on foreign assets
- 0% — inheritance and gift tax
- No CFC rules requiring disclosure of foreign accounts
70+ Countries Visa-Free
The passport grants visa-free and simplified entry worldwide — Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
Americas
Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent
Africa (ECOWAS)
15 West African states: Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, and others
Asia & Oceania
Malaysia, Maldives, Micronesia, Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji, Cook Islands, Tuvalu, Palau
Access to International Banking
A second passport expands your banking options and reduces compliance burden for international business.
- Open accounts in Portugal and Brazil as an STP citizen
- Access to ECOWAS member banks in West Africa
- SWIFT transfers without correspondent bank restrictions
- Corporate accounts for structures in neutral jurisdictions
- Reduced KYC burden when opening accounts in the EU
Citizenship for the Whole Family — For Life, Hereditary
The program allows you to include your entire family in a single application — spouse, children, and parents. Citizenship is permanent and passes to future generations — a reliable "Plan B" for your family.
- $90,000 — single applicant
- $95,000 — family of up to 4 (spouse, children included)
- +$5,000 — each additional dependent beyond 4
- The main applicant's parents can be included
- Passport $150, ID card $250, registration $350 — per family member
- No residency requirements for family members
Territorial system: 0% tax on foreign income, dividends, capital gains, and inheritance. No CFC disclosure requirements.
70+ countries visa-free: Americas (Brazil, Cuba, Jamaica, etc.), Africa — 15 ECOWAS states, Asia and Oceania (Malaysia, Fiji, Vanuatu, etc.).
Open accounts in Portugal, Brazil, and West African countries. Unrestricted SWIFT transfers, reduced KYC burden in the EU.
Single applicant — $90,000. Family of up to 4 — $95,000. Each additional dependent — +$5,000. Spouse, children, and parents can be included. Citizenship is lifetime and hereditary.
Taxes
São Tomé Tax System: A Haven for Your Wealth
Territorial tax system: the state taxes only income earned within the country. Everything you earn abroad stays yours.
Tax on Worldwide Income
Foreign salaries, fees, royalties, and business income earned outside the country are not taxed.
Capital Gains & Dividends
Sales of shares, real estate, and businesses abroad, as well as dividends from foreign sources — completely tax-free.
Inheritance & Gifts
Transferring assets to children and heirs — no tax burden. Long-term wealth protection for future generations.
No Residency Requirements
Citizenship status is maintained for life regardless of where you actually live. No 183-day rule.
Tax obligations in your country of tax residency still apply. We will help you build a legally sound structure.
Freedom of Movement
Visa-Free Access to 70+ Countries Worldwide
The São Tomé and Príncipe passport opens visa-free and simplified entry to key destinations across four continents.
United Kingdom
Short visits up to 6 months under a simplified scheme
Brazil
Up to 90 days visa-free — the world's largest Portuguese-speaking economy
ECOWAS Countries
15 West African countries — free movement and the right to work
Malaysia, Fiji, Vanuatu
Key Asia-Pacific destinations — visa-free for 30–90 days
Free movement across 15 ECOWAS member states — Western Africa zone
- Nigeria
- Ghana
- Senegal
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Mali
- Burkina Faso
- Guinea
- Togo
- Benin
- Liberia
- Sierra Leone
- Niger
- Guinea-Bissau
- Cape Verde
- Gambia
- Angola
- Mozambique
- Eswatini
Brazil and the Caribbean — key Western Hemisphere destinations
- Brazil
- Cuba
- Jamaica
- Haiti
- Dominica
- Trinidad and Tobago
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Vincent
- Barbados
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Grenada
- Bolivia
- Ecuador
Asia and Oceania — resorts, financial centers, and island states
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Indonesia (eVisa)
- Sri Lanka (eTA)
- Philippines (eVisa)
- Micronesia
- Vanuatu
- Samoa
- Fiji
- Cook Islands
- Tuvalu
- Palau
- Niue
- East Timor
United Kingdom and select European states on simplified terms
- United Kingdom (up to 6 mo.)
- Ireland (short-term entry)
- Serbia
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Kosovo
The Schengen area requires a visa application, but the STP passport simplifies the process and removes restrictions associated with high-risk citizenships.
Investment
Program Terms
Single option — a non-refundable contribution to São Tomé and Príncipe's national development fund
Government Fund Contribution
single applicant
family of up to 4
- One contribution covers the entire family of up to 4
- No residency, interview, or language requirements
- Processing time: from 3 months
- Citizenship is permanent and hereditary
- Application and document submission — fully remote
Additional Government Fees
Paid separately from the investment contribution after preliminary approval
| Government fee | $5,000 |
| Registration fee (per application) | $350 |
| Passport | $150 / person |
| ID card | $250 / person |
| Citizenship certificate | per family member |
| Additional dependent (beyond 4) | +$5,000 / person |
Calculator
Estimate Your Cost
Select your family size — the calculator will show an approximate investment amount
Total Family Size
Include all family members: main applicant + spouse + children + parents
Estimated Program Cost
- Government Fund Contribution $90,000
- Government fee $5,000
- Registration + passport ~$500 / person
* Only the fund contribution is shown. Additional costs include: legal support (~$20,000) and government fees ($350 + $150–$250/person). Exact cost determined after consultation.
Requirements
Who Can Obtain Citizenship
The program is open to individuals 18 and older who pass an international background check
Applicant Requirements
- 18 years or older
The main applicant must be of legal age at the time of submission
- Clean criminal record
No criminal history in any country of residence or citizenship
- Valid international passport
A biometric passport with sufficient remaining validity
- Proof of investment funds source
Bank statements, tax returns, corporate documents proving the legitimate source of investment funds
- Due Diligence clearance
International background check — a standard procedure for all citizenship by investment programs
Who Can Be Included
One application — the whole family. No extra trips or separate submissions.
Main Applicant
18+, clean criminal record, valid passport, legitimate source of funds.
Spouse
Legally married to the main applicant. Marriage certificate with apostille and translation required.
Children
Under 18 included as standard; dependents aged 18–25 financially supported by the applicant and unmarried.
Parents
Over 65, financially dependent on the main applicant. Requires documentary proof.
Citizenship is lifetime and hereditary — a "Plan B" for future generations of your family
Important
Secure Payments and Transfer Options
For international investors, the question of cross-border fund transfers is crucial. We offer official, compliant solutions.
All transactions are conducted legally, through verified banking channels, in full compliance with regulatory requirements.
We offer several official and transparent payment options — you choose the one most convenient for you. We operate exclusively within official financial instruments.
Client Security
Funds are transferred only after official application approval — no upfront investment. Each stage is fully documented.
Full Transparency
You know all costs upfront. No hidden fees: the investment contribution, government fees, and legal support are listed as separate line items.
Legal Compliance
We work exclusively within official financial instruments. The payment structure withstands compliance checks at any bank.
Process
How the Citizenship Process Works
Application
1–3 days
Documentation
2–4 wks
Due Diligence
30–60 days
Payment
~5 days
Passport
2–4 wks
Application via agent
Completing the questionnaire, preliminary eligibility check, agreeing on the document package
1–3 daysRemote documentation
Notarization, apostille, document translation into Portuguese — all done remotely
2–4 weeksDue Diligence
International background check of the applicant and verification of investment funds source
30–60 daysPayment after approval
The contribution is transferred only after official approval — no upfront investment
~5 daysCertificate and passport
Receive the citizenship certificate and STP biometric passport. No travel required
2–4 weeksTotal timeline: 2–4 months from document submission
Comparison
Comparison with Alternative Programs in 2026
Key active citizenship by investment programs — an objective comparison by cost, timeline, and visa access.
| Parameter | Best Value São Tomé and Príncipe | Vanuatu | Saint Lucia | Antigua and Barbuda |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Min. investment (1 person) | $90,000 | $130,000 | $240,000 | $230,000 |
| Investment (family of 4) | $95,000 | $180,000 | $240,000 | $245,000 |
| Processing time | 2–4 months | 1–2 months | 6–9 months | 4–6 months |
| Visa-free countries | 70+ | 95+ | 140+ | 150+ |
| Tax on worldwide income | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Parents included | Yes | Limited | Yes (+fee) | Yes (+fee) |
| Key note | Young program, lowest entry threshold | EU visa-free suspended (since 2024) | Threshold raised to $240K since 2024 | Mandatory country visit (5 days) |
Data current as of 2026. Program terms may be revised — request a consultation for the most accurate information.
About the Country
São Tomé and Príncipe
A tropical archipelago in the Gulf of Guinea — a biosphere paradise with a growing economy
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The citizenship by investment program does not require permanent or temporary residence in the country. No language test or history exam is needed. You can live anywhere in the world and use the STP passport to its full extent.
Yes. São Tomé and Príncipe law permits dual and multiple citizenship. You do not need to renounce your current citizenship. Please check the legislation in your home country — some states have their own restrictions.
The standard package includes: a valid international passport; an apostilled criminal record clearance; proof of investment funds source; marriage and birth certificates (to include family members); a medical certificate. All foreign-language documents must be translated into Portuguese with notarization.
Single applicant — $90,000 fund contribution. Family of up to 4 (applicant + spouse + children) — $95,000. Each additional dependent beyond 4 — plus $5,000. Additional fees include the government fee ($5,000), registration ($350), passport ($150/person), and ID card ($250/person).
Children under 18 are included in the standard family package ($95,000 for up to 4, +$5,000 each beyond 4). Dependents aged 18–25 who are financially supported and enrolled in education may be included on individual terms. Adults over 25 must submit a separate application.
Yes. During due diligence, the legality of the fund source is verified. Accepted sources include business income, asset sales, inheritance, dividends, and other lawful means. Documentary proof is required — bank statements, tax returns, corporate documents.
An STP biometric passport is valid for 5 years and renewed in the standard way. Citizenship itself is permanent and hereditary. Non-residents have no obligations to the state: no tax on foreign income, no military service required.
Still have questions? Our attorney will respond within 2 hours