Moving to Cuba from Sao Tome and Principe

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Sao Tome and Principe to Cuba? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Sao Tome and Principe to Cuba, and you’d need to navigate life in Spanish.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Cuba compared to Sao Tome and Principe.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

per 100,000 people per year

ST
3.2
CU
4.4
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ST
11.7
CU
5.4

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on safety, though Cuba leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

ST
$355
CU
$2,575
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

ST
4.9
CU
94.3

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

ST
85.0
CU
31.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ST
0.6t
CU
1.9t

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on environment, though Cuba 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

ST
2.0
CU
2.9
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ST
1.9%
CU
23.9%

Cuba 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

ST
14.2%
CU
1.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ST
$5,500
CU
$12,300

Cuba 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
CU
79.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ST
44.4
CU
4.1

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

Sao Tome and Principe passport

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Cuba

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

Cuba passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Cuba?

Connectivity is usually fine (Cuba: 2.9 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Cuba offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Cuba safe for expats?

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on safety, though Cuba leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Cuba is 4.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.

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

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Cuba leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 94.3 doctors per 10,000 people in Cuba, compared to 4.9 in Sao Tome and Principe. Cuba scores 83 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Sao Tome and Principe: 59).

What language do they speak in Cuba?

The official language in Cuba is Spanish. In Sao Tome and Principe, the official language is Portuguese.

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At a Glance

ST CU
Population 217,164 11,008,112
Currency São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD) Cuban Convertible Peso (CUC)
Languages Portuguese Spanish
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +239 +53
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 106