Moving to Sao Tome and Principe from Tuvalu

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What to Expect

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

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

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Key Indicator Comparison

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

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

per 100,000 people per year

TV
0.0
ST
3.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

TV
17.9
ST
11.7

Tuvalu 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

TV
$1,671
ST
$355
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

affects wait times and access to care

TV
12.6
ST
4.9

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Tuvalu leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

TV
0.0t
ST
0.6t

Tuvalu performs better than Sao Tome and Principe across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

TV
4.0
ST
2.0
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

TV
49.0%
ST
51.0%

Tuvalu generally does better on infrastructure, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in internet access.

What are the job prospects?

GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

TV
$5,200
ST
$5,500
Poverty rate The World Factbook, 2017

share of people below the poverty line

TV
26.3%
ST
66.7%

Tuvalu 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

TV
68.4 yrs
ST
67.1 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

TV
28.9
ST
44.4

Tuvalu performs 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 Tuvalu 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.

Tuvalu passport

Tuvalu passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Tuvalu 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 Tuvalu

Visa on Arrival
Sao Tome and Principe passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Tuvalu.

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?

Tuvalu 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 0.0 in Tuvalu.

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

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Tuvalu leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 4.9 doctors per 10,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 12.6 in Tuvalu. Sao Tome and Principe scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Tuvalu: 52).

What language do they speak in Sao Tome and Principe?

The official language in Sao Tome and Principe is Portuguese. In Tuvalu, the official languages are English and Tuvaluan.

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At a Glance

TV ST
Population 11,544 217,164
Currency Australian Dollar (A$) São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD)
Languages English, Tuvaluan Portuguese
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +688 +239
Time zones 1 1