Sao Tome and Principe: residency, citizenship, tax and living
São Tomé and Príncipe offers one of the most affordable citizenship by investment programs with no residency requirements, as well as favourable tax policies for non-residents.

- Tax regimeTerritorial for non-residents
- Residency routesCBI
- To citizenship4–6 months
- Min. investmentUSD 90,000
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Residency & citizenship
Common questions
Does São Tomé and Príncipe offer citizenship by investment?
Yes, São Tomé and Príncipe offers citizenship by investment. The country’s citizenship by investment program has one investment option, a one-time contribution to the National Transformation Fund, and it has the features of other similar programs such as family inclusion and a strict vetting process. As a citizen of São Tomé and Príncipe, you don’t have to renounce any other citizenship, and you can pass your citizenship to your family members.
What is the minimum investment for São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship?
The minimum investment for the São Tomé and Príncipe CBI program is USD 90,000 for a single applicant, or USD 95,000 for a family of up to four. You can also include additional family members in your application at USD 5,000 per dependent. The investment doesn’t include submission fees, which are charged separately.
Do you need to live in São Tomé and Príncipe to get citizenship?
No, São Tomé and Príncipe doesn’t have a residency requirement for CBI program applicants. The requirements you have to meet include being of legal age to apply (18 years old), having a clean criminal record and passing the due diligence check, and being able to prove the legality of funds used to make the investment.
Where can you travel visa-free with a São Tomé and Príncipe passport?
São Tomé and Príncipe’s passport allows you to travel to 25+ countries completely visa-free, including destinations such as Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, and Panama. The only European country where you can travel visa-free on a São Toméan passport is Kosovo. The passport also grants you visa-on-arrival access to 35+ countries, though most European countries, the UK, the U.S., and Canada require a visa.
