Investor Information
São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program
Advance Citizenship - Authorized Marketing Agent for the Government of São Tomé & Príncipe
São Tomé & Príncipe Passport
Holders of São Tomé & Príncipe passports enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 6o countries including South Africa, Hong Kong and Singapore. Access regional partners and key business hubs.
São Tomé & Príncipe has privileged ties with CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) states, such as Portugal and Brazil, offering preferential visa and travel access to other CPLP member states. This includes the waiver of normal visa application requirements to some CPLP countries.
São Tomé continues to negotiate additional travel agreements to expand its global mobility network.
Visa-Free/Visa on Arrival Countries
Angola, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote D’ivore, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Loas, Macao, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Palau, Palestinian Territories, Panama, Phillipines, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Taxation Overview
São Tomé & Príncipe offers a simple and investor-friendly tax system.
-
Non-residents are taxed only on income derived from São Tomé sources. Residents are taxed on worldwide income at progressive rates between 0% and 32%.
-
Corporate Income Tax: 25% standard rate, reduced to 10% for priority development sectors.
-
VAT: 15% standard rate.
-
There is no capital gains, inheritance, or wealth tax on foreign income for non-residents.
These advantages make São Tomé a highly desirable Citizenship solution.
Company Formation & Business Environment
São Tomé & Príncipe welcomes international investors through a straightforward company registration framework:
-
Reserve company name with the Commercial Registry.
-
Draft and notarize Articles of Incorporation.
-
Register the entity with the National Institute for Business Promotion (INAPEM).
-
Obtain a business license and Tax Identification Number (NIF).
-
Open a corporate bank account in São Tomé.
Foreign investors may own 100% of local entities and repatriate profits freely. The government offers tax incentives for enterprises in tourism, agriculture, renewable energy, and sustainable development sectors.
Advance Citizenship offers support and guidance to our clients for all these services.
Banking in São Tomé & Príncipe
The country’s banking sector is modernizing under the supervision of the Central Bank of São Tomé & Príncipe. Major commercial banks include:
• Banco Internacional de São Tomé e Príncipe (BISTP)
• Banco Africano de Investimentos (BAI)
• Energy Bank São Tomé
Opening a personal or corporate account typically requires:
• Valid passport
• Proof of address or company registration
• Tax Identification Number (NIF)
• Initial deposit (varies by institution)
Accounts are available in local currency (STN) and major foreign currencies (USD, EUR). International transfers are permitted under standard compliance protocols.
Tax Identification Number (NIF)
Every individual or company operating in São Tomé & Príncipe must obtain a Tax Identification Number (Número de Identificação Fiscal – NIF). This number is required for banking, contracts, and any government-related transactions.
To apply:
-
Submit application to Direção Geral de Impostos (Directorate-General for Taxes)
-
Provide passport copy or incorporation documents
-
Proof of local or overseas address
-
Pay nominal administrative fee
-
Processing time: typically 2–5 business days