Moving to Senegal 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 Senegal — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

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

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Key Indicator Comparison

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

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2015

per 100,000 people per year

ST
3.2
SN
0.3
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ST
11.7
SN
20.8

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on safety, though Senegal leads in homicide rate.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

ST
$355
SN
$206
Doctors per 10,000 people World Bank, 2023

affects wait times and access to care

ST
4.6
SN
1.1

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

ST
85.0
SN
65.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ST
0.6t
SN
0.8t

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on environment, though Senegal leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people World Bank, 2024

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

ST
3.0
SN
4.0
Water stress level World Bank, 2022

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ST
1.9%
SN
16.3%

Senegal generally does better on infrastructure, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

ST
9.1%
SN
2.7%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

ST
$4,084
SN
$1,955

Senegal generally does better on employment & economy, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

ST
69.9 yrs
SN
68.9 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ST
9.2
SN
28.9

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on family life, though Senegal leads in education spending.

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Sao Tome and Principe and Senegal. To live, work, or study long-term in Senegal, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Senegal's immigration authority.

Sao Tome and Principe passport

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Senegal

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

Senegal passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Senegal 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 Senegal?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Senegal has 4.0 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 Senegal safe for expats?

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on safety, though Senegal leads in homicide rate. The homicide rate in Senegal is 0.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.

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

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Senegal leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 1.1 doctors per 10,000 people in Senegal, compared to 4.6 in Sao Tome and Principe. Senegal scores 50 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Sao Tome and Principe: 59).

What language do they speak in Senegal?

The official language in Senegal is French. In Sao Tome and Principe, the official language is Portuguese.

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At a Glance

ST SN
Population 240,254 18,931,966
Currency São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD) CFA Franc BCEAO (F CFA)
Languages Portuguese French
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +239 +221
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number — 17