Moving to Sao Tome and Principe from Syria

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What to Expect

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

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

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Key Indicator Comparison

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

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2011

per 100,000 people per year

SY
2.1
ST
3.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

SY
29.9
ST
11.7

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

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

SY
$122
ST
$355
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

affects wait times and access to care

SY
11.9
ST
4.9

Syria generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in suicide rate.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

SY
83.0
ST
85.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

SY
1.3t
ST
0.6t

Syria generally does better on environment, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

SY
7.3
ST
2.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

SY
124.4%
ST
1.9%

Syria 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

SY
13.5%
ST
14.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

SY
$2,900
ST
$5,500

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

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

SY
74.3 yrs
ST
67.1 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

SY
15.9
ST
44.4

Syria generally does better on family life, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in literacy rate.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Syria passport

Syria passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

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

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Syria

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Sao Tome and Principe?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Sao Tome and Principe has 2.0 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 Sao Tome and Principe safe for expats?

Syria generally does better on safety, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Sao Tome and Principe is 3.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 2.1 in Syria.

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

Syria generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in suicide rate. There are 4.9 doctors per 10,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 11.9 in Syria. Sao Tome and Principe scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Syria: 64).

What language do they speak in Sao Tome and Principe?

The official language in Sao Tome and Principe is Portuguese. In Syria, the official language is Arabic.

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At a Glance

SY ST
Population 21,563,800 217,164
Currency Syrian Pound (SYP) São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD)
Languages Arabic Portuguese
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +963 +239
Time zones 1 1