Moving to Sao Tome and Principe from Vanuatu
What to Expect
Everything you need to know before relocating from Vanuatu to Sao Tome and Principe — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.
If you moved from Vanuatu 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 Vanuatu to Sao Tome and Principe.
Is it safe?
per 100,000 people per year
per 100,000 people per year
Vanuatu generally does better on safety, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in road traffic deaths.
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 Vanuatu leads in healthcare spending per person.
What about the environment?
deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
Vanuatu generally does better on environment, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in co₂ emissions per capita.
Will I have good infrastructure?
fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work
share of households with internet
Vanuatu generally does better on infrastructure, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in broadband per 100 people.
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
Vanuatu 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
Vanuatu generally does better on family life, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in education spending.
Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between Vanuatu 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.
Vanuatu passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe
Visa Online (e-Visa)
Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Vanuatu
Visa RequiredData: 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?
Vanuatu 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 0.3 in Vanuatu.
How is healthcare in Sao Tome and Principe compared to Vanuatu?
Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Vanuatu leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 4.9 doctors per 10,000 people in Sao Tome and Principe, compared to 1.6 in Vanuatu. Sao Tome and Principe scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Vanuatu: 47).
What language do they speak in Sao Tome and Principe?
The official language in Sao Tome and Principe is Portuguese. In Vanuatu, the official languages are Bislama, English and French.
