Moving to Sao Tome and Principe from Moldova

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What to Expect

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

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

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

MD
2.3
ST
3.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

MD
9.1
ST
11.7

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

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

MD
$1,181
ST
$355
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

MD
32.5
ST
4.9

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

MD
58.0
ST
85.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

MD
3.4t
ST
0.6t

Moldova 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

MD
24.4
ST
2.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

MD
12.6%
ST
1.9%

Moldova 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

MD
1.6%
ST
14.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

MD
$15,700
ST
$5,500

Moldova 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

MD
72.4 yrs
ST
67.1 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

MD
11.6
ST
44.4

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

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Moldova 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.

Moldova passport

Moldova passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Moldova 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 Moldova

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

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?

Moldova 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 2.3 in Moldova.

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

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Moldova leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 4.9 doctors per 10,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 32.5 in Moldova. Sao Tome and Principe scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Moldova: 71).

What language do they speak in Sao Tome and Principe?

The official language in Sao Tome and Principe is Portuguese. In Moldova, the official language is Romanian.

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At a Glance

MD ST
Population 3,287,326 217,164
Currency Moldovan Leu (MDL) São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD)
Languages Romanian Portuguese
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +373 +239
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112