Moving to Sao Tome and Principe from Benin

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Benin to Sao Tome and Principe — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

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

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Benin to Sao Tome and Principe.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate World Bank, 2017

per 100,000 people per year

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

per 100,000 people per year

BJ
24.8
ST
11.7

Benin generally does better on safety, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

BJ
$138
ST
$355
Doctors per 10,000 people World Bank, 2023

affects wait times and access to care

BJ
2.2
ST
4.6

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Benin leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

BJ
77.0
ST
85.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BJ
0.5t
ST
0.6t

Benin performs better than Sao Tome and Principe across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people World Bank, 2024

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BJ
0.3
ST
3.0
Water stress level World Bank, 2022

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

BJ
1.0%
ST
1.9%

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

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

BJ
1.6%
ST
9.1%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

BJ
$1,658
ST
$4,084

Benin generally does better on employment & economy, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

BJ
61.0 yrs
ST
69.9 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BJ
45.2
ST
9.2

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Benin 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.

Benin passport

Benin passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

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

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Benin

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

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?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Sao Tome and Principe has 3.0 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Sao Tome and Principe safe for expats?

Benin generally does better on safety, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Sao Tome and Principe is 3.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.1 in Benin.

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

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Benin leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 4.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 2.2 in Benin. Sao Tome and Principe scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Benin: 38).

What language do they speak in Sao Tome and Principe?

The official language in Sao Tome and Principe is Portuguese. In Benin, the official language is French.

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At a Glance

BJ ST
Population 14,814,460 240,254
Currency CFA Franc BCEAO (F CFA) São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD)
Languages French Portuguese
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +229 +239
Time zones 1 1