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Citizenship by Investment · São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment 2026

Bruna BarretoBy CEO — Bruna Barreto 2 Oct 2026

A new, affordable program with a strategic link to Portugal

In August 2025, São Tomé and Príncipe officially launched its citizenship-by-investment program, established under Decree-Law No. 07/2025. It is one of the most affordable citizenship-by-investment programs in the world — with a minimum contribution of $90,000 — and has one characteristic that distinguishes it from all other African programs: São Tomé and Príncipe is a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), which opens simplified residency and naturalization routes in Portugal and Brazil to its citizens.

For investors seeking a second citizenship quickly, affordably, and with strategic value in accessing the Lusophone world, this program deserves careful attention.

What the São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship-by-investment program is

Unlike the Portuguese Golden Visa — which grants residency and requires years of presence to reach citizenship — the São Tomé and Príncipe program grants citizenship directly. The investor makes a contribution to the National Transformation Fund and, after approval and payment, receives the citizenship certificate and São Tomé and Príncipe passport. There is no residency requirement, no need to travel to the country, no language test, and no interview.

The process is managed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), based in Dubai, and applications can only be submitted through agents licensed by the CIU under Decree-Law No. 07/2025.

Minimum investment and cost structure

The program has a single investment route: a non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund (NTF). The amounts are:

  • Individual applicant: $90,000 + $5,000 submission fee + $750 in document fees (certificate, passport, national ID) = approximately $95,750 total
  • Family of 2 to 4 members: $95,000 + $5,000 submission fee + per-member document fees = approximately $101,500 (couple) to $103,000 (family of 4)
  • Each additional dependent (beyond 4): $5,000

Important: the contribution to the NTF is non-refundable — unlike Portuguese Golden Visa CMVM funds, this capital is not returned after a minimum holding period. It is a definitive donation to the São Toméan state. Agent fees and other professional costs are additional to these amounts and quoted separately.

Who can apply

The program is open to nationals of most countries — the exception is North Korean citizens. Unlike many Caribbean programs, São Tomé and Príncipe accepts a broader range of nationalities that would be excluded in other programs. Requirements for the main applicant:

  • At least 18 years of age
  • Not convicted to more than three years of effective imprisonment
  • Demonstrable lawful source of income
  • Not holding more than two citizenships (for program eligibility)

São Tomé and Príncipe is one of the few programs globally that accepts stateless persons.

Included family members

The same application can include:

  • Spouse (including civil partner with demonstrated cohabitation and shared financial obligations)
  • Children up to age 30, unmarried and financially dependent on the main applicant
  • Parents of the applicant or spouse
  • Grandparents aged 55 or over (subject to individual case analysis)

Processing timeline

From the program's launch in August 2025 through September 2026, the CIU recorded 350 approvals. Data published by the unit itself in September 2026 shows:

  • Average processing time: 2.5 months from complete submission to passport delivery
  • Minimum observed: 1 month (fastest case on record)
  • Official declared timeline: 6 to 8 weeks after complete submission

The process works with government pre-approval before payment: the applicant submits documentation, receives approval in principle, and only then makes the contribution to the NTF within a 90-day payment window.

São Tomé and Príncipe passport mobility

The São Tomé and Príncipe passport currently offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 90 destinations, with relevant presence in:

  • South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and several other African countries
  • Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia in Asia
  • Barbados, Dominica, Costa Rica, Guatemala in the Americas
  • CPLP countries — with specific residency and work advantages (see below)

The São Tomé and Príncipe passport has limited mobility for major European and North American markets compared to passports from more established Caribbean programs. Its strategic value lies primarily in the CPLP connection.

The CPLP advantage: what changes for those wanting to access Portugal

This is the aspect that makes the São Tomé and Príncipe program particularly interesting for investors with European objectives. The CPLP is an international organization bringing together 9 Portuguese-speaking countries — including Portugal and Brazil. CPLP citizens have specific advantages in Portugal:

  • Reduced Portuguese naturalization timeline: 7 years for CPLP citizens, instead of 10 years for all other nationalities (May 2026 law)
  • CPLP residence permit: a residency route in Portugal different from the Golden Visa, without a mandatory minimum investment, allowing living and working in Portugal with rights equivalent to a Portuguese citizen
  • Similar advantages exist in Brazil under CPLP agreements

Important legal note: Citizenship from São Tomé and Príncipe acquired through investment confers the same formal citizen rights as citizenship by birth. However, the concrete application of CPLP advantages in Portugal for citizens who recently acquired São Tomé and Príncipe nationality through the CBI program — rather than by birth or descent — must be analysed case by case with up-to-date legal advice. Portuguese authorities interpret the requirements of each route according to the law in force at the time of application.

The program as a strategic complement to the Portugal Golden Visa

For investors who already hold the Portuguese Golden Visa — or plan to obtain it — citizen of São Tomé and Príncipeship may have additional strategic value if their original nationality is not from the CPLP:

  • An American citizen with a Portuguese Golden Visa currently has a 10-year naturalization timeline
  • If they obtain São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment ($90,000) and this is recognised for CPLP timeline purposes, their Portuguese naturalization timeline could potentially be reduced to 7 years
  • The saving of 3 years on the naturalization timeline can carry considerable value depending on each investor's objectives

This strategy is known in the investment mobility market as "passport stacking" — using a lower-cost intermediate citizenship to access a timeline benefit in another program. However, its effectiveness depends on legal factors that vary and must be individually verified before any decision.

Source of funds: cryptocurrency accepted

São Tomé and Príncipe is one of the few citizenship-by-investment programs that accepts cryptocurrency as the origin of funds. The final payment must be made in US dollars, but digital assets can be used as a documentary basis to demonstrate the lawful origin of capital, provided they are properly documented.

Direct comparison: STP CBI vs Portugal Golden Visa

  • What it grants: STP CBI — direct citizenship; Portugal Golden Visa — residency with a path to citizenship
  • Minimum investment: STP — approx. $95,750 (non-refundable); Portugal — €500,000 CMVM funds (recoverable)
  • Timeline: STP — 2 to 3 months; Portugal — 12 to 18 months for the residence card
  • Mandatory presence: STP — none; Portugal — biometrics require a visit
  • Schengen: STP — passport without direct Schengen access; Portugal — immediate Schengen access
  • European citizenship: STP — not directly; Portugal — after 7 years of residency (with CPLP advantage)

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions about São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship and the Portugal connection?

Combining the São Tomé CBI with the Portuguese Golden Visa or CPLP route requires careful individual planning. Our team can help you understand what applies to your specific profile.