Moving to Aruba from Sao Tome and Principe

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Sao Tome and Principe to Aruba, and you’d need to navigate life in Dutch and Papiamento.

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Sao Tome and Principe to Aruba.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2014

per 100,000 people per year

ST
3.2
AW
1.9

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

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ST
0.6t
AW
5.1t

Sao Tome and Principe performs better than Aruba across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

ST
2.0
AW
17.7
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

ST
51.0%
AW
97.0%

Aruba performs significantly better than Sao Tome and Principe across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

ST
14.2%
AW
7.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ST
$5,500
AW
$41,300

Aruba performs significantly 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

ST
67.1 yrs
AW
78.0 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ST
44.4
AW
12.1

Aruba performs significantly 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 Sao Tome and Principe and Aruba. To live, work, or study long-term in Aruba, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Aruba's immigration authority.

Sao Tome and Principe passport

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Aruba

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

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Aruba?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Aruba has 17.7 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 Aruba safe for expats?

Aruba performs significantly better than Sao Tome and Principe across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Aruba is 1.9 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.

What language do they speak in Aruba?

The official languages in Aruba are Dutch and Papiamento. In Sao Tome and Principe, the official language is Portuguese.

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At a Glance

ST AW
Population 217,164 122,320
Currency São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD) Aruban Florin (AWG)
Languages Portuguese Dutch, Papiamento
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +239 +297
Time zones 1 1