Moving to Timor-Leste from Sao Tome and Principe
What to Expect
Considering a move from Sao Tome and Principe to Timor-Leste? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from Sao Tome and Principe to Timor-Leste. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.
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Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Timor-Leste compared to Sao Tome and Principe.
Is it safe?
per 100,000 people per year
per 100,000 people per year
Sao Tome and Principe performs better than Timor-Leste across all safety metrics.
How's the healthcare?
annual government + private spending per person
affects wait times and access to care
WHO index from 0–100 measuring essential service access
share of adults with obesity
per 100,000 people — a proxy for mental health support
Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Timor-Leste leads in doctors per 10,000 people.
What about the environment?
deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
Timor-Leste performs significantly better than Sao Tome and Principe across all environment metrics.
Will I have good infrastructure?
fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work
higher means greater strain on freshwater supply
share of households with internet
Sao Tome and Principe performs better than Timor-Leste across all infrastructure metrics.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
share of people below the poverty line
Timor-Leste generally does better on employment & economy, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in gdp per capita.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
government spending on education as % of GDP
percentage of adults who can read and write
Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on family life, though Timor-Leste leads in life expectancy.
Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between Sao Tome and Principe and Timor-Leste. To live, work, or study long-term in Timor-Leste, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Timor-Leste's immigration authority.
Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Timor-Leste
Visa on Arrival
Timor-Leste passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe
Visa FreeData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work remotely from Timor-Leste?
Connectivity is usually fine (Timor-Leste: 0.0 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Timor-Leste offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?
Is Timor-Leste safe for expats?
Sao Tome and Principe performs better than Timor-Leste across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Timor-Leste is 4.1 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.
How is healthcare in Timor-Leste compared to Sao Tome and Principe?
Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Timor-Leste leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 7.7 doctors per 10,000 people in Timor-Leste, compared to 4.9 in Sao Tome and Principe. Timor-Leste scores 52 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Sao Tome and Principe: 59).
What language do they speak in Timor-Leste?
The official languages in Timor-Leste are Portuguese and Tetum. In Sao Tome and Principe, the official language is Portuguese.
