Sao Tome and Principe officially launches its citizenship by investment program. Overview of terms and costs

September 2025 marked a historic moment for the international investment migration market – the state of São Tomé and Príncipe officially launched its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program. The minimum investment threshold was set starting from $90,000 USD, and the first application packages from investors are already under review.

The Hungarian consulting company IST Hungary conducted a detailed analysis of the new government program (CIP), highlighting its key advantages and potential drawbacks for potential applicants.

Key Program Details

The official launch of the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment program was announced on August 1, 2025, by a government decree.

The practical acceptance of applications from investors began in September 2025.

Processing Time: The review of applications and grant of citizenship takes approximately 6 weeks. The authority to process petitions is vested in the newly established state Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU).

Notably, the office of the new São Tomé and Príncipe CIU is geographically located in Dubai (UAE).

Technical support and international marketing of the program are managed by a Dubai-based company, operating under a ten-year agreement with the government of the island nation.

The government of São Tomé and Príncipe plans to open a diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi and a consulate-general in Dubai.

Applicant Requirements

To successfully obtain citizenship of São Tomé and Príncipe, an investor must meet several basic criteria:

• Be of legal age (18 years);

• Have a clean reputation: no criminal record and no current international sanctions;

• Provide documentary evidence of the legal origin of the invested funds.

Included Family Members: The right to obtain a passport together with the main investor is granted to his/her family members:

• Legal spouse;

• Unmarried children under the age of 30;

• The investor’s parents aged 55 and over.

Applicants are not required to reside in the country, visit its territory, undergo an interview, or take a language proficiency test.

Investment Amount and Related Costs

The main condition is a non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund of São Tomé and Príncipe. The amount is:

• $90,000 — for a single applicant;

• $95,000 — for a family including 2 to 4 members;

• Additional $5,000 — for each subsequent dependent included in the application.

Adding Relatives After Approval: The investor has the right to include additional family members in the citizenship after the initial approval, by paying:

• $10,000 — for a spouse;

• $5,000 — for another dependent relative;

• $500 — for a newborn child.

Investment Destination: All contributions are directed towards the strategic development of the state, funding projects in the areas of clean energy, education, housing, and infrastructure.

Additional Fees

Registration Fee: The main applicant is required to pay a one-time registration fee of $5,000, which is independent of the number of family members included in the application.

3 Facts about São Tomé and Príncipe

Geographical Location

São Tomé and Príncipe is an island republic located in the Gulf of Guinea, off the west coast of Central Africa. It is the second-largest sovereign African island state by area and population, after Seychelles.
The country is located close to the equator, which ensures a warm tropical climate throughout the year.

Demographics

As of August 2025, the population of São Tomé and Príncipe is approximately 240,800. For comparison with other countries offering citizenship by investment:

• Vanuatu — about 336,000 inhabitants;

• St. Kitts and Nevis — approximately 48,000 inhabitants;

• Grenada — around 126,000 inhabitants;

• St. Lucia — about 184,000 inhabitants.

Language

The official language of the country is Portuguese. This creates a cultural and linguistic connection with Portugal, Brazil, Angola, and other Portuguese-speaking countries around the world.

São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship vs. Vanuatu Citizenship: A Comparative Analysis

Investor Conditions

Vanuatu citizenship has long occupied a niche as one of the most accessible offers on the global market. Now investors have an alternative – the more economical program from São Tomé and Príncipe.

The minimum investment contribution in São Tomé and Príncipe is $90,000 for a single applicant and $95,000 for a family of four. In Vanuatu, these figures are higher: $130,000 for a single investor and $180,000 for a family of four.

Investment Options

In São Tomé and Príncipe, the program offers only one option – a non-refundable contribution to the state fund. Vanuatu, in turn, provides an alternative in the form of a $157,000 investment in the CNO Future Fund with the possibility of a partial refund (from $50,000) after 5 years.

Processing Time

The average time to obtain a Vanuatu passport is 1-2 months, while São Tomé and Príncipe states a processing period of 6 weeks. However, in practice, the initial process for the new program may take up to 6 months or more.

Inclusion of Relatives

Vanuatu allows the inclusion of a spouse, children under 25, and parents over 50 in the application. São Tomé and Príncipe allows the participation of a spouse, unmarried children under 30, and parents from 55 years old.

Visa-Free Travel

A Vanuatu passport allows visa-free entry to 107 countries worldwide, including Singapore and Hong Kong. Citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe can visit 61 countries without a visa, including South Africa and Indonesia.
Meanwhile, passport holders of both countries require a visa to visit European Union countries and the United Kingdom.

If you are interested in obtaining São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment, you can contact us for a detailed consultation.