São Tomé: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

São Tomé is the capital of the small island state of São Tomé and Príncipe in the Gulf of Guinea, with about 90,000 people in the city and about 230,000 in the whole country. It is a quiet town with Portuguese colonial houses, a market and a waterfront, and beyond it lie rainforest, volcanic mountains, cocoa plantations and almost empty beaches. The economy rests on cocoa, coffee, fishing, tourism and support from international partners.

São Tomé interests holders of the country's citizenship by investment passport, lovers of wildlife and quiet holidays, and staff of international projects. For permanent family life, a career or business, the country is very small and poor.

History

The Portuguese discovered the uninhabited islands in the 1470s and turned them into a colony of sugar, later coffee and cocoa plantations. In the early 20th century São Tomé was one of the world's largest cocoa producers, and old plantation estates still stand across the island. The country became independent in 1975 and today is considered one of Africa's most stable democracies.

The town and the islands

• Central São Tomé - the cathedral, presidential palace, market, banks and small hotels.
• Waterfront and Fort São Sebastião - the old fortress with a museum and walks along the ocean.
• Suburbs and coast - beach hotels and guesthouses north and south of the capital.
• Príncipe island - the country's second island, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, reached by a short flight.
• Rolas islet - in the south, crossed by the equator.

Money and prices

The currency is the dobra, firmly pegged to the euro at 24.5 dobras per euro. ATMs are few and foreign cards do not work everywhere, so it is worth bringing cash euros. Local fruit, fish and cocoa are cheap, while almost all manufactured goods and fuel are imported and expensive. Housing for foreigners is let mainly by hotels and guesthouse owners, and long-term rentals are negotiated directly with landlords.

Practicalities

• Getting there. Flights via Lisbon, Accra and Luanda; there are no direct flights from Russia.
• Entry. Citizens of the European Union, the US and several other countries need no visa for short trips, and others can get an electronic visa. Check the rules for your passport in advance.
• Health. There is a malaria risk, so prophylaxis and repellents are needed. Healthcare is limited, and serious cases are treated in Portugal or neighbouring countries, so insurance with evacuation is needed.
• Language. Portuguese, plus local Creole languages. Little English is spoken.
• Climate. Equatorial: hot and humid all year, with a dry season roughly from June to September.

Citizenship by investment

Since August 2025 São Tomé and Príncipe has granted citizenship for a contribution of $90,000 or more to the National Transformation Fund, plus a $5,000 fee. A decision comes in 1.5-2 months, and the passport can be obtained in about 6 months without relocating. It is one of the most affordable programmes in the world, but the passport is new, so before applying it is worth assessing which travel it actually opens. More on the page about São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship.

Nature and leisure

The country's greatest asset is nature: Obô National Park with its cloud forest and the volcanic peak of Cão Grande, waterfalls, old cocoa plantations where you can see chocolate being made, and beaches without crowds. From July to October humpback whales pass along the coast, and from November to March sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.

Work and business

The market is small: the main employers are the state, international organisations, hotels and tour companies, and cocoa and coffee plantations. Foreigners most often invest in small eco-lodges, guesthouses and chocolate production from local cocoa. Documents and deals are in Portuguese, so a local lawyer is indispensable.

Is São Tomé worth considering for life

Pros: quiet, nature and the ocean, friendly people, a currency pegged to the euro and an affordable citizenship programme. Cons: a very small economy, few flights, weak healthcare, malaria and a limited choice of goods and services. São Tomé suits holidays and a backup passport, but not permanent family life. Write in the chat and we will compare citizenship programmes for your passport and budget.