Moving to Sao Tome and Principe from Bahamas
What to Expect
Considering a move from Bahamas to Sao Tome and Principe? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from Bahamas to Sao Tome and Principe, and you’d need to navigate life in Portuguese. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.
Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓Get free moving quotes to Sao Tome and Principe
We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.
- ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
- ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
- ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you
Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Sao Tome and Principe compared to Bahamas.
Is it safe?
per 100,000 people per year
per 100,000 people per year
Sao Tome and Principe performs significantly better than Bahamas across all safety metrics.
How's the healthcare?
annual government + private spending per person
affects wait times and access to care
WHO index from 0–100 measuring essential service access
share of adults with obesity
per 100,000 people — a proxy for mental health support
Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Bahamas leads in doctors per 10,000 people.
What about the environment?
deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
Bahamas generally does better on environment, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in co₂ emissions per capita.
Will I have good infrastructure?
fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work
share of households with internet
Bahamas performs better than Sao Tome and Principe across all infrastructure metrics.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
share of people below the poverty line
Bahamas generally does better on employment & economy, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in unemployment rate.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
government spending on education as % of GDP
Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on family life, though Bahamas leads in life expectancy.
Sources: World Bank (2017–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2011–2021), World Health Organization (2024), The World Factbook (2010). How we calculate this
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between Bahamas and Sao Tome and Principe. To live, work, or study long-term in Sao Tome and Principe, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Sao Tome and Principe's immigration authority.
Bahamas passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe
Visa Online (e-Visa)
Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Bahamas
Visa FreeData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work remotely from Sao Tome and Principe?
Connectivity is usually fine (Sao Tome and Principe: 3.0 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Sao Tome and Principe offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?
Is Sao Tome and Principe safe for expats?
Sao Tome and Principe performs significantly better than Bahamas across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Sao Tome and Principe is 3.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 32.2 in Bahamas.
How is healthcare in Sao Tome and Principe compared to Bahamas?
Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Bahamas leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 4.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 18.9 in Bahamas. Sao Tome and Principe scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Bahamas: 77).
What language do they speak in Sao Tome and Principe?
The official language in Sao Tome and Principe is Portuguese. In Bahamas, the official language is English.
