Skip to content
voymo

Countries

Sao Tome and Principe: visas, tax & cost of living

Sao Tome and Principe: honest, sourced estimates on entry rules, the digital nomad visa, tax residency and the cost of living, tailored to your passport.

Sao Tome and Principe: visas, tax & cost of living
Your passport

United KingdomSao Tome and Principe

Your move to Sao Tome and Principe on a United Kingdom passport

  • VisitEasyVisa-free entry
  • NomadHardDifficult, indirect route
  • RelocateHardLimited residence routes

Visiting

Visa-free for up to 15 days. Travel on a passport valid for your whole stay, with a return or onward ticket and proof you can support yourself.

Passport validity:Estimated six months of passport validity is commonly expected; your passport should stay valid for your whole stay.

At the border:Visa-free entry for many nationalities (including EU and US passport holders) for up to 15 days, with an e-Visa for others; a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if arriving from a risk country, and an arrival fee of around 20 euros is payable.

Working remotely

No dedicated nomad visa; the usual route is a standard residence permit.

Tax and residency

You are generally treated as tax resident if you spend more than 183 days in the country in a year, after which worldwide income is taxable; non-residents are taxed only on income sourced in Sao Tome and Principe. Figures are estimates, confirm current rules before relying on them.(estimate)

The UK decides residence with its Statutory Residence Test (days in the UK plus your ties). As a non-resident you are usually taxed only on UK income; where one exists, a double-tax treaty with the destination decides who taxes what.

Practical

Currency:STN. Cost of living:mid.

Healthcare:Public and private medical care is paid and often requires cash or proof of insurance up front, so travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended for foreigners.

Driving:Visitors can drive on a valid foreign licence accompanied by an International Driving Permit for short stays.

Sources: Visa policy of Sao Tome and Principe (overview) · UK FCDO entry requirements for Sao Tome and Principe · US State Department travel advisory for Sao Tome and Principe · Tax administration in Sao Tome and Principe (BRITACOM) · GOV.UK: tax on foreign income · HMRC: double-taxation treaties

Estimates, not advice. Confirm with the official sources before you act.

Frequently asked questions

Sao Tome and Principe: is there a digital nomad visa?
No dedicated digital nomad visa; most people use a standard residence permit instead.
Sao Tome and Principe: when do you become a tax resident?
You are generally treated as tax resident if you spend more than 183 days in the country in a year, after which worldwide income is taxable; non-residents are taxed only on income sourced in Sao Tome and Principe. Figures are estimates, confirm current rules before relying on them.
Sao Tome and Principe: what is the cost of living?
The cost of living is moderate and the local currency is the STN. Treat any figures as estimates.
Sao Tome and Principe: do you need health insurance?
Public and private medical care is paid and often requires cash or proof of insurance up front, so travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended for foreigners.
Sao Tome and Principe: can you drive on a foreign licence?
Visitors can drive on a valid foreign licence accompanied by an International Driving Permit for short stays.

Africa: more countries to explore

Put it to work

Last verified: 2026-06-26

Voymo gives general information to help you organise your move. It is not legal, tax, or immigration advice, always confirm with an official source or a qualified professional before you act.

← Back to all countries