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 United Nations SDG Indicators, 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 United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

BE
63.9
ST
4.9

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 United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BE
43.5
ST
2.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

BE
51.9%
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 The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

BE
5.5%
ST
14.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

BE
$63,600
ST
$5,500

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

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

BE
81.9 yrs
ST
67.1 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BE
3.2
ST
44.4

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

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

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: 2.0 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 4.9 doctors per 10,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 63.9 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 11,847,338 217,164
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