Moving to Sao Tome and Principe from Belgium

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Belgium to Sao Tome and Principe? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Belgium to Sao Tome and Principe, and you’d need to navigate life in Portuguese.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Sao Tome and Principe compared to Belgium.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate World Bank, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BE
1.1
ST
3.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BE
4.6
ST
11.7

Belgium performs better than Sao Tome and Principe across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

BE
$7,489
ST
$355
Doctors per 10,000 people World Bank, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

BE
35.7
ST
4.6

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Belgium leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

BE
15.0
ST
85.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BE
7.3t
ST
0.6t

Belgium generally does better on environment, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people World Bank, 2024

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BE
44.2
ST
3.0
Water stress level World Bank, 2022

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

BE
52.8%
ST
1.9%

Belgium generally does better on infrastructure, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

BE
5.9%
ST
9.1%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

BE
$60,750
ST
$4,084

Belgium performs better than Sao Tome and Principe across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

BE
82.3 yrs
ST
69.9 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BE
3.1
ST
9.2

Belgium performs better than Sao Tome and Principe across all family life metrics.

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Belgium 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.

Belgium passport

Belgium passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

Visa Free
Belgium passport holders can enter Sao Tome and Principe without a visa.
Sao Tome and Principe passport

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Belgium

Visa Required
Sao Tome and Principe passport holders need a visa to enter Belgium.

Data: 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?

Belgium performs better than Sao Tome and Principe across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Sao Tome and Principe is 3.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.1 in Belgium.

How is healthcare in Sao Tome and Principe compared to Belgium?

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Belgium leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 4.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 35.7 in Belgium. Sao Tome and Principe scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Belgium: 86).

What language do they speak in Sao Tome and Principe?

The official language in Sao Tome and Principe is Portuguese. In Belgium, the official languages are Dutch, French and German.

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At a Glance

BE ST
Population 11,941,781 240,254
Currency Euro (€) São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD)
Languages Dutch, French, German Portuguese
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +32 +239
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112 —