Sao Tome and Principe · citizenship by investment
Sao Tome and Principe Citizenship by Investment Programme
Active as of 10 April 2026
Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025 entered into force on 1 August 2025, according to Lusa. Opposition deputies asked the Constitutional Court to declare it unconstitutional in August 2025, and no ruling was found. A Citizenship by Investment Unit memorandum of April 2026 described ongoing operations.
Investment routes
| Route | Minimum | Holding period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| donation/fund2,1 | USD 90,000 | Citizenship is available from USD 90,000 through investment or donation, according to Lusa. IMI Daily reported USD 90,000 for a single applicant, USD 95,000 for a family of 2 to 4 and USD 5,000 for each additional dependant. |
Rules
Legal basis
Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025 on the regulation of nationality by investment or donation, as reported by Lusa (Official Gazette text not read)
Due diligence
Independent entities check applicants, including the origin of funds and anti money laundering compliance, and applications then go to the Public Prosecutor's Office for prior approval, as reported by Lusa. The decree allows the government to bar applicants from countries under international sanctions, according to Lusa.
Residence requirement
No residence obligation, as reported by IMI Daily. Not confirmed from an official or media source.
Programme history
- The Citizenship by Investment Unit told licensed agents that new applications from people holding three or more foreign nationalities were on hold under Nationality Law No. 07/2022.5
- A group of lawyers including the Bar Association president filed for an injunction at the Supreme Court to suspend the Passport Legacy concession, as reported by Forbes África Lusófona citing Lusa.4
- Forbes África Lusófona reported that ADI opposition deputies had asked the Constitutional Court to declare the decree-law unconstitutional.3
- The decree-law entered into force, according to Lusa.2,3
- President Carlos Vila Nova promulgated the decree-law, according to Lusa.2,3
- The government signed a 10 year public service concession with Passport Legacy, a company set up under Dubai law, as exclusive administrative partner, as reported by Lusa.2,4
- The Council of Ministers approved Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025 regulating nationality by investment or donation, as reported by Lusa.2,3
Sources
- IMI Daily, Sao Tome and Principe Launches US$90k Citizenship by Investment Program (5 August 2025)
- RTP Notícias (Lusa), São Tomé permite obtenção de nacionalidade com investimento ou doação a partir de 90 mil dólares (14 August 2025)
- Forbes África Lusófona, Nacionalidade por Investimento divide São Tomé e Príncipe, ADI pede inconstitucionalidade do decreto-lei (21 August 2025)
- Forbes África Lusófona (citing Lusa), Advogados são-tomenses exigem suspensão de atribuição de cidadania por investimento (2 September 2025)
- Citizenship by Investment Unit, Sao Tome and Principe (copy hosted by IMI Daily), Memorandum, Legislative and Operational Update (10 April 2026) · official
Figures are the minimums and fees stated by the programme or its regulations on the date shown. Agents' fees and other costs are extra. This is not investment or immigration advice.