Citizenship
São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship
A second citizenship through the National Transformation Fund, with a remotely managed application.
- Minimum
- $90,000
- Timeline
- 5 to 6 months
- Residence
- Not required
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- Minimum
- $90,000
- Timeline
- 5 to 6 months
- Outcome
- Direct citizenship
- Presence
- None
- Visa-free access
- 59 destinations
- Dual citizenship
- Permitted
- Family
- Spouse + children
The opportunity
Why São Tomé & Príncipe
A non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund: USD 90,000 for a single applicant or USD 95,000 for a family of 2 to 4. The programme unit gives a typical approval time of about 2 months and about 3 to 4 months more from approval to passport.
With the official USD 5,000 due diligence and processing fee per application and USD 750 per person for the citizenship documents, a single applicant pays USD 95,750, a couple USD 101,500 and a family of four USD 103,000. Agent, translation and legalisation costs are outside the official schedule.
The programme's legal basis is Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025, approved by the Council of Ministers on 10 May 2025, promulgated 28 July 2025 and published in the Diário da República (No. 33) on 1 August 2025, the date it entered into force. It created the National Transformation Fund (Fundo Nacional de Transformação) and the Citizenship by Investment and Donation Unit (UCID), the technical-administrative body that receives, reviews and proposes decisions on nationality applications.
Passport and mobility
59
visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations
Who it suits
May fit. May not.
São Tomé & Príncipe suits applicants who want a second citizenship without relocating. The two lists show where it fits and where another program serves better.
May fit if you want
- Applicants who want a second citizenship without living in or travelling to São Tomé, who can attend an interview in person or by video if the UCID asks, and who can take the oath before a São Tomé diplomatic or consular agent abroad.
- Applicants who hold no more than two other nationalities and value a comparatively low, published contribution threshold.
- Families of up to four, covered by one USD 95,000 family contribution.
May not fit if you need
- Applicants who need a long-established programme with a multi-year track record — the legal framework has been in force only since August 2025.
- Applicants who require an authority page confirming a restricted-nationality list — this review did not find one on the Government's own domain.
- Applicants who want travel access to the Schengen area, the UK or the US confirmed under this programme — no verified mobility right is on record here.
Qualifying routes
Available routes
One route qualifies: National Transformation Fund. The minimum is $90,000.
- Government contribution
$90,000
National Transformation Fund
Non-refundable contribution: USD 90,000 for a single applicant, USD 95,000 for a family application of 2 to 4 members, and USD 5,000 for each further qualified dependent (Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025, Annex I). The official fees are additional.
What it costs
São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship costs
What the program costs beyond the qualifying investment, item by item.
Qualifying investment
$90,000
National Transformation Fund
What the investment covers
Non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund (Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025, Annex I).
Costs beyond the investment
- Family application contributionThe family contribution of USD 95,000 is USD 5,000 more than a single applicant's. It is charged once for every application with two or more members, with or without a spouse.$5,000
- Due diligence and processing feeOne fee per application, whatever the family size, non-refundable once the application is submitted.$5,000
- Citizenship documents, main applicantCertificate of registration, passport and national ID: USD 750 per person. The programme unit's pages say 'per applicant' on one page and 'per dependent' on another; Wealthy Expat confirms the per-person reading with the unit.$750
- Citizenship documents, spouseUSD 750 per person.$750
- Citizenship documents, each child under 18USD 750 per person.$750
- Each further qualified dependentAdded to the contribution for each qualified dependent beyond the four members the family contribution covers. Family members added after approval in principle pay instead a USD 5,000 submission fee (none for a newborn) plus USD 10,000 for a spouse, USD 5,000 for each other dependent or USD 500 for a newborn child of a citizen up to one year old.$5,000
Professional fees are quoted individually after eligibility review. Government fees change without notice; every figure is verified before engagement.
Qualifying investment
$90,000
National Transformation Fund
Non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund (Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025, Annex I).
- Family application contributionThe family contribution of USD 95,000 is USD 5,000 more than a single applicant's. It is charged once for every application with two or more members, with or without a spouse.$5,000
- Due diligence and processing feeOne fee per application, whatever the family size, non-refundable once the application is submitted.$5,000
- Citizenship documents, main applicantCertificate of registration, passport and national ID: USD 750 per person. The programme unit's pages say 'per applicant' on one page and 'per dependent' on another; Wealthy Expat confirms the per-person reading with the unit.$750
- Citizenship documents, spouseUSD 750 per person.$750
- Citizenship documents, each child under 18USD 750 per person.$750
- Each further qualified dependentAdded to the contribution for each qualified dependent beyond the four members the family contribution covers. Family members added after approval in principle pay instead a USD 5,000 submission fee (none for a newborn) plus USD 10,000 for a spouse, USD 5,000 for each other dependent or USD 500 for a newborn child of a citizen up to one year old.$5,000
Professional fees are quoted individually after eligibility review. Government fees change without notice; every figure is verified before engagement.
| Single applicant | Couple | Family of fourTwo children under 18 |
|---|---|---|
| $95,750 | $101,500 | $103,000 |
Not a quotation. Figures are indicative and subject to verification.
Requirements
São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment requirements
Who can apply is set by four rules on nationality, background and qualification; the checklist lists three documents. A spouse and minor children can join the same application.
Who can apply
Nationality
- Hold no more than two foreign nationalities.Nationality Law (Lei n.º 7/2022), article 11: naturalisation is barred for anyone holding more than two foreign nationalities, and a naturalised citizen who later acquires a fourth nationality loses São Tomé nationality at once.
Background
- Complete background and sanctions screening.Acceptance remains subject to the relevant authority's due diligence.
Qualification
- Document the lawful source of qualifying funds.
- Take the oath or affirmation of loyalty to the Constitution and the laws of São Tomé and Príncipe.Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025, article 14.
Documents checklist
Family inclusion
Spouse
IncludedMinor children
Included
How it works
How to apply for São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship
The application runs in five steps. An official source gives a processing time of 5 to 6 months.
Private eligibility review
Discuss your objectives, family circumstances and the qualifying-fund evidence you can provide.
Application and preliminary review
Submit the application through an authorized agent for the Citizenship by Investment and Donation Unit's preliminary review.
Unidade de Cidadania por Investimento e Doação (UCID)
- Duration
- Decree deadline: 15 days (rstp.st).
Decision
The Director issues a decision following the Public Ministry's visa on the file.
UCID Director
- Duration
- Decree deadline: 15 days (rstp.st).
Contribution deposit
Deposit the contribution to the National Transformation Fund following approval notification.
- Duration
- Decree deadline: 90 days after approval notification (rstp.st).
Oath and registration
Take the oath of loyalty before a public officer in São Tomé or a São Tomé diplomatic or consular agent abroad; the process is then submitted to the Central Registry.
- Duration
- Decree deadline: 5 days after the oath (rstp.st).
- Official processing time
- 5 to 6 months
Alternatives
Compared with alternatives
How São Tomé & Príncipe compares with two citizenship-by-investment programs that have a higher entry point: Vanuatu from $130,000 and St Kitts & Nevis from $250,000.
This program
São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship
- Minimum
- $90,000
- Timeline
- 5 to 6 months
- Family
- Spouse + children
You are here
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
- Minimum
- $130,000
- Timeline
- 1 to 2 months
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents
St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship
- From
- $250,000
- Timeline
- 4 months or more
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents
Questions
Program FAQ
Short answers to six questions about São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship.
Applications are filed electronically through a licensed agent, and no residence is required. The rules still allow the unit to require an interview, in person or by video, and the oath is taken before a public officer in São Tomé or a São Tomé diplomatic or consular agent abroad, which can mean visiting an embassy.
You do not have to give up your current nationality. The Nationality Law bars naturalisation of anyone who already holds more than two foreign nationalities, and a naturalised citizen who later acquires a fourth nationality loses São Tomé nationality at once.
The National Transformation Fund is a government vehicle established to finance sustainable development projects, infrastructure, and social programs across the islands. Your contribution directly supports these national initiatives.
The Nationality Law's Portuguese language requirement can be waived for investment applicants, and the programme lists no language test. Forms may be completed in Portuguese or English; Portuguese is the official language.
Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025, approved by the Council of Ministers on 10 May 2025, promulgated 28 July 2025 and in force since 1 August 2025 (Diário da República No. 33). It created the National Transformation Fund and the Citizenship by Investment and Donation Unit (UCID).
The Henley Passport Index (checked 20 October 2026) lists São Tomé and Príncipe at 81st, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 59 destinations.
Sources
Official sources
Checked against official sources on .
- Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025, Diário da República I Série n.º 33 of 1 August 2025 (copy hosted by the state broadcaster RSTP) (opens in a new tab)
- Nationality Law, Lei n.º 7/2022 (copy hosted by the Citizenship Rights in Africa Initiative) (opens in a new tab)
- Citizenship by Investment Unit: investment structure (opens in a new tab)
- Citizenship by Investment Unit: donation to the National Transformation Fund (fees) (opens in a new tab)
- Citizenship by Investment Unit: post-approval inclusion fees (opens in a new tab)
- Citizenship by Investment Unit: frequently asked questions (opens in a new tab)
- Citizenship by Investment Unit: application process (opens in a new tab)
Next step
Have your eligibility reviewed before you commit.
A specialist checks your profile against the current rules, confirms the right route and quotes the full cost picture. No documents are collected at this stage.
- Program: São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship, included automatically