Moving to Sao Tome and Principe from Italy

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What to Expect

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

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

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

IT
0.6
ST
3.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

IT
5.0
ST
11.7

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

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

IT
$4,993
ST
$355
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

IT
42.5
ST
4.9

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

IT
15.0
ST
85.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

IT
5.1t
ST
0.6t

Italy 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

IT
31.5
ST
2.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

IT
29.6%
ST
1.9%

Italy 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

IT
7.6%
ST
14.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

IT
$52,700
ST
$5,500

Italy 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

IT
82.6 yrs
ST
67.1 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

IT
3.2
ST
44.4

Italy 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 Italy 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.

Italy passport

Italy passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

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

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Italy

Visa Required
Sao Tome and Principe passport holders need a visa to enter Italy.

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?

Italy 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 0.6 in Italy.

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

Italy generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 4.9 doctors per 10,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 42.5 in Italy. Sao Tome and Principe scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Italy: 84).

What language do they speak in Sao Tome and Principe?

The official language in Sao Tome and Principe is Portuguese. In Italy, the official languages are Catalan and Italian.

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At a Glance

IT ST
Population 61,095,551 217,164
Currency Euro (€) São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD)
Languages Catalan, Italian Portuguese
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +39 +239
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112