Moving to Sao Tome and Principe from Guatemala

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Guatemala 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 Guatemala to Sao Tome and Principe.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GT
20.0
ST
3.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GT
12.6
ST
11.7

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

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

GT
$935
ST
$355
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

affects wait times and access to care

GT
12.8
ST
4.9

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Guatemala 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

GT
40.0
ST
85.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

GT
1.1t
ST
0.6t

Guatemala 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

GT
3.7
ST
2.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

GT
5.7%
ST
1.9%

Guatemala 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

GT
2.7%
ST
14.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

GT
$12,700
ST
$5,500

Guatemala 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

GT
72.9 yrs
ST
67.1 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

GT
26.2
ST
44.4

Guatemala generally does better on family life, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in education spending.

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Guatemala 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.

Guatemala passport

Guatemala passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Guatemala passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Sao Tome and Principe.
Sao Tome and Principe passport

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Guatemala

Visa Free
Sao Tome and Principe passport holders can enter Guatemala 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 2.0 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?

Sao Tome and Principe performs significantly better than Guatemala across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Sao Tome and Principe is 3.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 20.0 in Guatemala.

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

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Guatemala leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 4.9 doctors per 10,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 12.8 in Guatemala. Sao Tome and Principe scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Guatemala: 59).

What language do they speak in Sao Tome and Principe?

The official language in Sao Tome and Principe is Portuguese. In Guatemala, the official language is Spanish.

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At a Glance

GT ST
Population 17,703,190 217,164
Currency Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ) São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD)
Languages Spanish Portuguese
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +502 +239
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 110