How Does São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Work?
São Tomé and Príncipe grants citizenship for a non-refundable contribution to its National Transformation Fund: USD 90,000 for one applicant or USD 95,000 for a family of two to four, plus a USD 5,000 due diligence fee. The usual five-year residence and language requirements can be waived.
Law as at 9 October 2026. See our change log. · Last reviewed 9 Oct 2026 · Next review due 9 Jan 2027
OpenThe program runs under Decree-Law No. 07/2025, in force since 1 August 2025, and its official site was live on 9 October 2026.
01
Key figures
| Item | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Due diligence and processing fee, per application | USD 5,000, non-refundable once filed | Decree-Law 07/2025, Annex I(2) |
| Contribution, single applicant | USD 90,000 | Annex I(3) |
| Contribution, family of 2 to 4 | USD 95,000 | Annex I(3) |
| Each additional dependant | USD 5,000 | Annex I(3) |
| Certificate, passport and ID card, per person | USD 750 | Program site |
The contribution is paid only after approval, within 90 days, or the file lapses (art. 14(4)).
02
What is the legal basis?
Nationality Law 07/2022 lets the government grant citizenship for investment or donation (art. 10(2)). Decree-Law 07/2025 (Diário da República, I Série, No. 33, 1 August 2025, pp. 430-440) sets the procedure and fees. It is run by the Citizenship by Investment and Donation Unit (UCID), under the justice ministry (art. 4).
03
Who checks applicants?
The UCID uses outside, qualified firms to run due diligence on every applicant and criminally liable dependant (art. 11(1)). A review committee chaired by the Public Prosecutor's Office, with the migration service and the Financial Intelligence Unit, checks that work (art. 9). The Public Prosecutor must then give prior clearance; a refusal ends the file (art. 14(1)-(2)).
04
How long does it take?
The decree sets a 15-day preliminary review (art. 10(7)) and a decision within 15 days of the prosecutor's clearance, or of its silence by the deadline (art. 14(3)). The Nationality Law gives the prosecutor 30 days (art. 10(6)).
05
Can you keep your other nationality?
Yes, with a limit. You cannot naturalise if you already hold more than two foreign nationalities, and you lose São Tomé citizenship if you later acquire a fourth (Nationality Law, art. 11). A prison sentence of more than one year also bars you (art. 11(4)).
06
Do EU or US measures affect it?
São Tomé and Príncipe nationals need a visa for the Schengen area (Regulation 2018/1806, Annex I). We found no EU statement on the program as at 9 October 2026.
The US has listed São Tomé and Príncipe for visa bonds since 23 October 2025. Anyone travelling on its passport who qualifies for a B1/B2 visa must post a bond of USD 10,000, 15,000 or 20,000 unless it is waived (State Department; 91 FR 48757).
07
Who it suits
It fits people who want a second citizenship without moving and do not need easier travel to Europe or the US. The cap is two other nationalities.
08
FAQ
Do I have to live in São Tomé and Príncipe?
Can my parents be included?
General information on the law as at 9 October 2026, not advice on your circumstances.
09
Primary sources
- 1Decree-Law No. 07/2025, Regulation of Nationality by Investment or Donation, Diário da República I Série No. 33, 1 Aug 2025, pp. 430-440
- 2Nationality Law 07/2022, Diário da República I Série No. 25, 10 Mar 2022
- 3São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program (official site): Donation to the National Transformation Fund↗
- 4São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program: Benefits of citizenship↗
- 5U.S. Department of State, Countries Subject to Visa Bonds (updated 2 Oct 2026)↗
- 6U.S. Department of State, Visa Bond Program final rule, 91 FR 48757 (3 Aug 2026), 22 CFR 41.11(c)↗
- 7Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, consolidated text of 30 Dec 2025, Annex I↗
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