Citizenship
São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship
A second citizenship through the National Transformation Fund, with a remotely managed application.
- Minimum
- $90,000
- Timeline
- 45–50 days
- Residence
- Not required
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- Minimum
- $90,000
- Timeline
- 45–50 days
- Outcome
- Direct citizenship
- Presence
- None
- Visa-free access
- 59 destinations
- Dual citizenship
- Permitted
- Family
- Spouse + children
The opportunity
Why São Tomé & Príncipe
The source describes a non-refundable National Transformation Fund contribution beginning at USD 90,000, with a 45–50 day processing estimate.
The published single-applicant illustration totals USD 105,325 after due diligence, processing, passport and oath fees. Confirm the current full quotation before engagement.
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 travelling to São Tomé or attending an interview.
- Applicants who value dual citizenship and a comparatively low, published contribution threshold.
- Families able to document the additional per-dependent fees the decree sets out for spouses and children.
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. Published fees are additional. The decree (Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025) states a single-applicant minimum of USD 90,000 and a family-application (2–4 members) minimum of USD 95,000, plus USD 5,000 per additional qualified dependent.
What it costs
Cost structure
What the program costs beyond the qualifying investment, item by item.
Qualifying investment
$90,000
National Transformation Fund
What the investment covers
Wealthy Expat's published single-applicant estimate; the decree lists USD 95,000 for a 2–4 member family application.
Costs beyond the investment
- Due diligenceWealthy Expat's published single-applicant estimate. The decree describes a combined non-refundable due-diligence-and-processing fee of USD 5,000 — the two figures were not reconciled during this review; confirm the current schedule before engagement.$7,500
- ProcessingWealthy Expat's published single-applicant estimate; see the due-diligence note above on the decree's combined figure.$2,500
- Passport$5,000
- Oath$325
- Spouse additionDecreto-Lei n.º 07/2025, as reported by São Tomé's state broadcaster (rstp.st): adding a spouse to the citizenship application.$10,000
- Qualified dependentDecreto-Lei n.º 07/2025 (rstp.st): per additional qualified dependent. The decree separately states a reduced USD 500 fee for a newborn child up to one year old, not itemised separately here.$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
Wealthy Expat's published single-applicant estimate; the decree lists USD 95,000 for a 2–4 member family application.
- Due diligenceWealthy Expat's published single-applicant estimate. The decree describes a combined non-refundable due-diligence-and-processing fee of USD 5,000 — the two figures were not reconciled during this review; confirm the current schedule before engagement.$7,500
- ProcessingWealthy Expat's published single-applicant estimate; see the due-diligence note above on the decree's combined figure.$2,500
- Passport$5,000
- Oath$325
- Spouse additionDecreto-Lei n.º 07/2025, as reported by São Tomé's state broadcaster (rstp.st): adding a spouse to the citizenship application.$10,000
- Qualified dependentDecreto-Lei n.º 07/2025 (rstp.st): per additional qualified dependent. The decree separately states a reduced USD 500 fee for a newborn child up to one year old, not itemised separately here.$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 |
|---|---|---|
| $105,325 | $115,325 | $125,325 |
Not a quotation. Figures are indicative and subject to verification.
Requirements
Eligibility and documents
Who can apply is set by three rules on background and qualification; the checklist lists three documents. A spouse and minor children can join the same application.
Who can apply
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, as reported by rstp.st.
Documents checklist
Family inclusion
Spouse
IncludedMinor children
Included
How it works
Application process
The application runs in five steps. The source estimates 45–50 days end to end.
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; the process is then submitted to the Central Registry.
- Duration
- Decree deadline: 5 days after the oath (rstp.st).
- Source estimate, end to end
- 45–50 days
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 Antigua & Barbuda from $230,000.
This program
São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship
- From
- $90,000
- Timeline
- 45–50 days
- Family
- Spouse + children
You are here
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
- From
- $130,000
- Timeline
- 1 to 2 months
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents
Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship
- From
- $230,000
- Timeline
- Variable
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents + dependents
Questions
Program FAQ
Short answers to six questions about São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship.
Yes. The entire process from document submission to approval is conducted digitally through authorized agents. There is no requirement to travel to São Tomé and Príncipe for an interview or to collect documents.
Yes, dual citizenship is fully recognized under the laws of São Tomé and Príncipe. You are not required to renounce your current nationality.
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.
No, there are no language tests or requirements to obtain citizenship through this investment program, although 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 7 September 2026) lists São Tomé and Príncipe at 78th, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 59 destinations.
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
- No approval guarantee — decisions rest with the authorities