About
Why São Tomé and Príncipe.
São Tomé and Príncipe is a two-island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the coast of Central Africa, with a population of around 230,000. Portuguese is the official language. The citizenship-by-investment program was put on a formal footing through Decree-Law No. 07/2025, building on the 2022 Nationality Law, and started issuing passports by investment in 2025. Together with Nauru, it's the newest route to a second passport currently open.
This is the cheapest program on the market, and for a family it's the clearest value anywhere. A single applicant contributes USD 90,000; a family of four is roughly USD 95,000 in contribution, which is a small step up for three extra people. Add the fixed administrative fees and a single file lands near USD 96,000 all in.
The process is fast and fully remote. Most decisions come about six weeks after documents are submitted, and there's no interview and no residence requirement. The family definition is unusually generous: dependent children up to 30, and parents or grandparents aged 55 and over, can all go on one application.
The honest framing is the same as Nauru. The Santomean passport opens 63 destinations on the Henley count, so this isn't a mobility upgrade. What you're buying is a second nationality, cheaply and quickly, with a clean remote process. There's no real-estate route, so the contribution is a cost rather than a recoverable asset.
Who it suits: a family that wants a second passport at the lowest possible outlay, or anyone who wants a contingency nationality without travel or a residence period. If you need strong visa-free access, this isn't the program, and we'll say so on the first call.
Investment routes
How the investment works.
Donation
Government contribution
From
$90,000
One-off contribution to the state. USD 90,000 for a single applicant; a family of four is roughly USD 95,000 in contribution, before the fixed administrative fees. No real-estate or fund route, the donation is the only path.
- RecoverableNo, non-refundable
Benefits
What this citizenship gives you.
The cheapest citizenship by investment open today
USD 90,000 for a single applicant, and roughly USD 95,000 in contribution for a family of four. Add the fixed fees and a single file lands near USD 96,000 all in. Nothing currently open is cheaper for a family.
Fast and fully remote
Most decisions land about 6 weeks after documents are submitted, with the fastest files cleared in 4 weeks. No interview, no travel, no residence period before or after.
Generous family definition
Spouse or de facto partner, dependent children up to 30, and parents or grandparents aged 55 and over can all be included on one application.
Portuguese-speaking, ECOWAS-linked
São Tomé sits in the Gulf of Guinea and is part of the Lusophone world and African regional frameworks. For some clients that regional positioning has practical value.
Dual citizenship recognised
You keep your existing nationality. No renunciation is required to hold the Santomean passport.
Eligibility
Who can apply.
Main applicant
- ✓At least 18 years old
- ✓Clean criminal record
Family members eligible
- ✓Spouse
- ✓Children
- ✓Parents
- ✓Grandparents
Process
How it works, step by step.
Total: ~Around 6 weeks after documents are submitted; 1 to 3 months overall. Fully remote, no interview..
- 1
Pre-screening
1 weekKYC and source-of-funds review before any fee is paid, so a file doesn't fail late on a documentation gap.
- 2
File preparation
2-3 weeksDocument collection, apostilles, and certified translations into Portuguese where needed.
- 3
Submission and review
4-6 weeksThe application is filed with the authorities. Most decisions come about 6 weeks after submission.
- 4
Contribution and registration
1-2 weeksOn approval the contribution is made, citizenship is registered, and the certificate is issued.
- 5
Passport issued
1-2 weeksThe Santomean passport is produced and couriered. The process stays remote throughout.
Documents
What you'll need to prepare.
9 documents required. All must be apostilled and (where applicable) translated.
- 1Notarized passport copy
- 2Birth and marriage certificates (apostilled)
- 3Police clearance from countries of residence
- 4Bank reference letter
- 5Source-of-funds documentation
- 6Detailed CV
- 7Medical certificate
- 8Proof of residential address
- 9Investment confirmation
FAQ
Questions, answered.
How much is São Tomé citizenship?
How fast is it?
Do I need to travel or live there?
How strong is the passport?
Is there a real-estate option?
Legal basis
Decree-Law No. 07/2025 and Nationality Law No. 07/2022
