Moving to Cyprus from Sao Tome and Principe

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Sao Tome and Principe to Cyprus, and you’d need to navigate life in Greek and Turkish. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓

Get free moving quotes to Cyprus

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Key Indicator Comparison

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

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

ST
3.2
CY
0.9
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ST
11.7
CY
3.9

Cyprus performs significantly 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

ST
$355
CY
$4,538
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

ST
4.9
CY
35.5

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Cyprus 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
CY
16.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ST
0.6t
CY
5.4t

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on environment, though Cyprus 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
CY
38.6
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ST
1.9%
CY
32.1%

Cyprus 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%
CY
6.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ST
$5,500
CY
$50,600

Cyprus 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
CY
79.7 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ST
44.4
CY
8.4

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

Sao Tome and Principe passport

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Cyprus

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

Cyprus passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Cyprus?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Cyprus has 38.6 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 Cyprus safe for expats?

Cyprus performs significantly better than Sao Tome and Principe across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Cyprus is 0.9 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.

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

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Cyprus leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 35.5 doctors per 10,000 people in Cyprus, compared to 4.9 in Sao Tome and Principe. Cyprus scores 81 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Sao Tome and Principe: 59).

What language do they speak in Cyprus?

The official languages in Cyprus are Greek and Turkish. In Sao Tome and Principe, the official language is Portuguese.

Share this

At a Glance

ST CY
Population 217,164 1,295,102
Currency São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD) Euro (€)
Languages Portuguese Greek, Turkish
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +239 +357
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112