Equatorial Islands of Chocolate, Rainforest & Discovery
If you are a tax resident (broadly, more than 183 days in-country or your habitual home is there), STP taxes your worldwide income, including foreign earnings. Non-residents are taxed only on income sourced within STP.
The top marginal rate for residents is 25%, reached only on the highest slice of income. Lower bands are taxed at 0%, 10%, 13%, 15%, and 20%. Non-residents pay a flat 15% on STP-source income.
Yes. A NIF (taxpayer number) is issued by the Directorate of Taxes and is required to work formally, open certain bank accounts, register a business, or buy property.
Employees contribute 6% of gross salary and employers 8%, for a combined 14%, covering pensions, disability, and survivors' benefits.
STP has been reforming indirect taxation toward a VAT system to replace older consumption taxes. Because the rollout and rate have moved, confirm the current indirect-tax position with the tax administration before pricing goods or services.
The main hospital handles basic and some intermediate care, but complex surgery, advanced diagnostics, and specialist treatment generally require evacuation abroad, most often to Libreville or Lisbon.
Yes — it is strongly recommended for anyone staying more than briefly. Given the limited on-island capacity, evacuation cover is the single most important part of your health insurance.
Yes. STP is a malaria zone. Speak to a travel-health provider about antimalarial medication, mosquito precautions, and recommended vaccinations before you travel.
Pharmacies in the capital carry common medicines, but stock is inconsistent. Bring your own sufficient supply of any regular prescription in original packaging with documentation.
Rarely. STP is largely a cash economy; only some hotels and larger businesses in the capital take cards. Carry dobras and euros, and expect ATM access mainly in São Tomé city.
No — outages are frequent. A generator or inverter/battery backup is near-essential if you need dependable power, for example for remote work.
Effectively yes. Portuguese is the language of daily life and officialdom; English is understood only in limited tourism and international settings. Even basic Portuguese makes a big difference.
STP is generally calm and low-crime. Take normal precautions against petty theft, avoid night driving, use malaria protection, and drink treated or bottled water.