Sao Tome and Principe Passport: An Honest Review by Antwort Law

Obtaining a second or even third passport is the goal of many entrepreneurs developing businesses internationally and facing daily geopolitical restrictions imposed by their original passport, which often lacks credibility with financial institutions or legislators in other countries. In this article, we, the specialists at Antwort Law, will discuss a new program in the citizenship-by-investment market: the São Tomé and Príncipe passport. As of December 2025, there have been no decisions on applications, so no one can say how this passport will perform in practice. However, we can analyze this option, highlight its advantages and disadvantages, and determine who might benefit from this citizenship.

The Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe is a small state located in the Strait of Guinea off the coast of Central Africa. It boasts peaceful politics, a neutral foreign exchange rate, and is Portuguese-speaking. Its citizenship by investment program offers the following advantages:

1) Clean Reputation

Unlike Vanuatu, whose passport has fallen into disrepute over the past 5-7 years and become a high-risk document due to the abolition of visa-free travel with the Schengen Area and increased regulatory scrutiny by the EU, UK, and even the UAE, Principe currently has a clean reputation and boasts no conflicts with international organizations. Therefore, for entrepreneurs seeking early entry into the jurisdiction during the program's infancy, when banks are not yet wary, this option may be attractive.

2) Tighter government oversight

São Tomé and Príncipe is currently focusing on avoiding the mistakes of Caribbean countries offering similar travel passport programs: they are building a multi-tiered program, vetting applicants, and other enhanced due diligence mechanisms into the foundation. This will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the subsequent banking compliance processes of passport holders.

3) Low entry threshold compared to similar programs

According to the preliminary parameters and discussed program concepts, the investment threshold for the main applicant is considered to be lower than that of most existing CBI programs. The final amounts are subject to approval by regulations and are subject to further change.

This program, of course, has its drawbacks, like any other:

1) All investments are non-refundable

The program model is based on a donation format similar to, for example, Vanuatu – it is essentially a direct contribution to a government development fund. This is a major drawback for those who would like to profit from their investment at some point in the future, even if it's through the sale of investment property or a bank deposit.

2) Lack of a wide range of visa-free travel options

A São Tomé and Príncipe passport provides access to several African and Latin American countries, as well as Portuguese-speaking regions, but not to the Schengen area, the UK, or the US. There are alternatives with more extensive visa-free travel options.

3) No active passport cases have been issued yet

As mentioned above, no passports have been issued under this option yet. As with any new program, the process is not yet fully established and is still stabilizing, and changes to the rules are very likely after the first cases are launched.

So, who do we think this passport is suitable for? The program is suitable for those who need a second jurisdiction without toxic associations for asset management, which reduces political risks and provides an alternative set of documents, but who are not prepared to invest excessively. Therefore, it is not suitable if you are seeking broad visa-free travel—this is not currently available. You also want to invest in a liquid asset—the investment is non-refundable. If you need a passport within 3-6 months, the program may take longer, as it is new.

We support investment citizenship programs in various jurisdictions and see that the main mistake investors make is choosing a passport without assessing their banking, tax, and immigration risks. Antwort Law provides a full range of support:

• Analysis of the passport's suitability for the client (banking, compliance, taxes);
• Verification of the source of funds;
• Preparation of documents for enhanced due diligence;
• Family support;
• Assistance in obtaining an ID after the passport is issued;
• Development of a tax and corporate structure if the passport is used for business purposes.

Our goal is to ensure your goals align with the program's opportunities, and that your investment is informed, not spontaneous. Contact us—the Antwort Law team will conduct an initial consultation, assess your goals, and develop a personalized strategy for obtaining Principe citizenship.

Lidia Ivanova

International lawyer
Antwort Law