Moving to Timor-Leste from Guinea-Bissau

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Guinea-Bissau to Timor-Leste? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Guinea-Bissau to Timor-Leste. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Timor-Leste compared to Guinea-Bissau.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2017

per 100,000 people per year

GW
1.1
TL
4.1
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GW
30.5
TL
12.0

Guinea-Bissau generally does better on safety, though Timor-Leste leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

GW
$247
TL
$461
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

GW
2.1
TL
7.7

Timor-Leste 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
TL
61.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

GW
0.2t
TL
0.5t

Guinea-Bissau generally does better on environment, though Timor-Leste 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
TL
0.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

GW
1.5%
TL
28.3%

Guinea-Bissau performs better than Timor-Leste across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

GW
3.2%
TL
1.5%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

GW
$2,400
TL
$4,600

Timor-Leste performs significantly better than Guinea-Bissau across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

GW
63.7 yrs
TL
69.9 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

GW
49.0
TL
33.7

Timor-Leste 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 Timor-Leste. To live, work, or study long-term in Timor-Leste, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Timor-Leste's immigration authority.

Guinea-Bissau passport

Guinea-Bissau passport holder visiting Timor-Leste

Visa on Arrival
Guinea-Bissau passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste passport

Timor-Leste passport holder visiting Guinea-Bissau

Visa on Arrival
Timor-Leste 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 Timor-Leste?

Connectivity is usually fine (Timor-Leste: 0.0 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Timor-Leste offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Timor-Leste safe for expats?

Guinea-Bissau generally does better on safety, though Timor-Leste leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Timor-Leste is 4.1 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.1 in Guinea-Bissau.

How is healthcare in Timor-Leste compared to Guinea-Bissau?

Timor-Leste generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Guinea-Bissau leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 7.7 doctors per 10,000 people in Timor-Leste, compared to 2.1 in Guinea-Bissau. Timor-Leste scores 52 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Guinea-Bissau: 37).

What language do they speak in Timor-Leste?

The official languages in Timor-Leste are Portuguese and Tetum. In Guinea-Bissau, the official languages are Portuguese and Upper Guinea Creole.

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At a Glance

GW TL
Population 2,026,778 1,445,006
Currency CFA Franc BCEAO (F CFA) United States Dollar ($)
Languages Portuguese, Upper Guinea Creole Portuguese, Tetum
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +245 +670
Time zones 1 1