Moving to Sao Tome and Principe from Guinea-Bissau

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Guinea-Bissau to Sao Tome and Principe.

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Guinea-Bissau to Sao Tome and Principe.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2017

per 100,000 people per year

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

per 100,000 people per year

GW
30.5
ST
11.7

Guinea-Bissau 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

GW
$247
ST
$355
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

GW
2.1
ST
4.9

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Guinea-Bissau 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

GW
89.0
ST
85.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

GW
0.2t
ST
0.6t

Guinea-Bissau generally does better on environment, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

GW
0.2
ST
2.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

GW
1.5%
ST
1.9%

Guinea-Bissau generally does better on infrastructure, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in broadband per 100 people.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

GW
3.2%
ST
14.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

GW
$2,400
ST
$5,500

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

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

GW
63.7 yrs
ST
67.1 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

GW
49.0
ST
44.4

Sao Tome and Principe performs significantly better than Guinea-Bissau across all family life metrics.

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Guinea-Bissau 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.

Guinea-Bissau passport

Guinea-Bissau passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

Visa Free
Guinea-Bissau passport holders can enter Sao Tome and Principe without a visa.
Sao Tome and Principe passport

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Guinea-Bissau

Visa on Arrival
Sao Tome and Principe passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Guinea-Bissau.

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?

Guinea-Bissau 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 Guinea-Bissau.

How is healthcare in Sao Tome and Principe compared to Guinea-Bissau?

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Guinea-Bissau leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 4.9 doctors per 10,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 2.1 in Guinea-Bissau. Sao Tome and Principe scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Guinea-Bissau: 37).

What language do they speak in Sao Tome and Principe?

The official language in Sao Tome and Principe is Portuguese. In Guinea-Bissau, the official languages are Portuguese and Upper Guinea Creole.

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At a Glance

GW ST
Population 2,026,778 217,164
Currency CFA Franc BCEAO (F CFA) São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD)
Languages Portuguese, Upper Guinea Creole Portuguese
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +245 +239
Time zones 1 1