21 CBI. The Bitcoin Standard of Citizenship.
The world’s most affordable citizenship by investment. Starting at $90,000. Pay in Bitcoin. No visit required.
Self-custody. For your jurisdiction.
That is not a coincidence. São Tomé & Príncipe is Non-CRS by treaty posture, not by oversight. The CBI program launched August 1, 2025; the legislation is fresh and the framework is uncluttered. For Bitcoiners optimising for jurisdictional opacity over raw mobility, the $90,000 program is the structural answer.
See the STP routeBitcoin Accepted. 5% Advisory Fee. 100% Remote Process.
21 CBI files São Tomé citizenship applications through a licensed Dubai-based partner that holds an STP CBI license. Every file moves under Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025. We prepare them ourselves. We have walked CIU screening firsthand. We know what the forms do not tell you.
Your file moves through the Dubai-based Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU) for screening: AML and CTF checks, international sanctions database verification, and independent source of funds assessment. We coordinate biometrics, walk you through the Oath of Allegiance, and update you at every stage over Signal. Every cost and timeline is disclosed before you commit.
São Tomé is the cheapest jurisdictional optionality a Bitcoiner can buy on Earth.
Two islands in the Gulf of Guinea. The most affordable CBI on the planet at $90,000. Non-CRS. São Tomé & Príncipe sits off the west coast of Central Africa: a small Lusophone democracy, a CPLP member, an African Union member, and part of Africa’s continental free trade zone.
São Tomé’s tax system favors non-residents: zero capital gains, zero inheritance tax, zero wealth tax. Non-residents are taxed only on São Tomé-sourced income. As a CPLP member state (the Community of Portuguese Language Countries), São Tomé citizens gain preferential residency access to Portugal, and by extension, the European Union. AfCFTA membership places your citizenship within the world’s largest free trade zone by country count.
One pathway leads to citizenship: a non-refundable donation to the National Transformation Fund (NTF) under Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025, launched August 1, 2025. Contributions start at $90,000 for a single applicant, or $95,000 for a family of up to four. Processing takes ~6–8 weeks through the Dubai-based Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU). No residency requirement, no visit required, no language test. Bitcoin, USDT, and fiat accepted.
For Bitcoiners, São Tomé’s combination of cost, privacy posture, and CPLP access is unmatched in the CBI market. No other program offers Non-CRS status below $100,000. No Caribbean program opens an EU residency route through Lusophone membership. The most affordable passport in the world, in a Non-CRS jurisdiction, with a long-horizon route to Portuguese residency and the European Union.
Capital
São Tomé
Population
~245,000
Language
Portuguese
Currency
Dobra (STN)
Timezone
GMT +0
Climate
Tropical Equatorial
Government
Semi-Presidential Republic
CPLP Member
Yes
Legal Basis: Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025, published in the Diário da República on August 1, 2025. Administered by the Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU), headquartered in Dubai, UAE.
São Tomé & Príncipe launched its Citizenship by Investment program on August 1, 2025, under Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025. A single non-refundable donation to the National Transformation Fund (NTF). Citizenship granted in ~6 to 8 weeks. No residency requirement, no visit required, no language test.
For Bitcoiners seeking the most affordable entry point into sovereign optionality, STP immediately became the benchmark. At $90,000 for a single applicant, it undercuts every Caribbean program by more than half. The program is the first African CBI to process through an offshore administrative center: the Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU) in Dubai, which runs AML/CTF screening, international sanctions checks, and independent source of funds assessment on every application.
São Tomé’s CBI program launched in August 2025. The first citizenship certificates were issued in January 2026. That makes this one of the newest programs in the market. Here is what that means in practice.
Visa-free access stands at 58 countries. That is roughly two-thirds of what Vanuatu offers (88) and half of what Türkiye offers (113). There is no visa-free access to the United States, the United Kingdom, or the EU Schengen Area. If passport strength is your primary metric, São Tomé is not the strongest option in the portfolio.
What São Tomé does offer is a combination that no other program can match at this price point. Non-CRS status, which Vanuatu and Türkiye do not have. CPLP membership, which opens a preferential residency route to Portugal and a route to Portuguese citizenship and full EU access. The current rule is five years of legal residency under Lei Orgânica 1/2024; on April 1, 2026, parliament approved a revision raising this to seven years, awaiting presidential review. At $90,000, that is the most affordable route from a CBI passport to an EU passport available anywhere.
New programs carry uncertainty. Regulatory frameworks can change. Visa agreements can expand or contract. But every CBI program that exists today was new once, and early adopters of Vanuatu’s program entered at thresholds that have since more than doubled. The $90,000 entry point will not last forever. The question is whether the trade-offs fit your priorities.
As of May 2026, the São Tomé CBI program is open and processing applications. The program accepts applicants from nearly all nationalities. The CIU is operational in Dubai, and the first citizenship certificates were issued in January 2026.
The fundamentals are straightforward: the most affordable CBI globally, Non-CRS jurisdiction, CPLP membership with a route to Portuguese residency and the EU, zero capital gains, zero inheritance tax, 100% remote process, Bitcoin accepted. As São Tomé expands its diplomatic relationships, visa-free access is expected to grow. For Bitcoiners who want sovereign optionality at the lowest possible entry point, with a long-horizon route to European residency built into the passport, this is the program.
21 CBI re-verification of CIU processing windows, government fees, and CPLP pathway timing. No material change to the program structure.
Portugal parliament approves a CPLP residency-to-citizenship clock raised from 5 to 7 years; presidential review pending. STP’s CPLP-to-EU pathway timing reflects the longer figure.
First citizenship certificates issued under Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025. CIU AML/CTF screening and source-of-funds workflow confirmed operational.
Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025 published in the Diário da República. The São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship by Investment program launches; the Dubai-based Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU) begins accepting applications.
Lowest cost, maximum privacy, and CPLP access. The numbers speak for themselves.
Starting at $90,000. Less than half the cost of every Caribbean program. Pay in Bitcoin.
From submission to passport in ~6 to 8 weeks (official window: 110 days per Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025). Applications move through the Dubai-based Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU) for AML/CTF screening, sanctions checks, and source of funds assessment. STP files in roughly the same window as Vanuatu (30–60 days) and faster than every Caribbean program.
São Tomé & Príncipe does not participate in the Common Reporting Standard (CRS). Your financial account information is not automatically shared with foreign tax authorities through CRS channels. Non-CRS status does not eliminate reporting obligations in your country of tax residence; we walk you through the implications during your strategy call.
Access the Lusophone world: Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique, Angola, and more. Gateway to residency and business across 9 Portuguese-speaking nations. No other CBI program connects you to Portugal this directly.
$95,000 for a family of up to 4. Children under 30 and parents over 55 eligible. Add family members post-approval for just $5,000 each. The math favors families. A couple pays $5,000 more than a single applicant.
São Tomé is a member of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): 54 nations, 1.3 billion people, the world’s largest free trade zone by country count. Combined with ECCAS membership for Central African market access, your São Tomé passport is the identity layer for doing business across the continent.
São Tomé is the cheapest CBI in the world; Non-CRS, Bitcoin-payable, with a long-horizon route through the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) to Portuguese residency and the EU.
Tell us about your situation. We’ll assess your eligibility and map your optimal pathway. No commitment.
Begin Your SovereigntyGovernment Donation
$90,000
Single applicant. $95,000 for family of up to 4.
Processing Time
~6–8 weeks
Official window: 110 days per Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025.
21 CBI Advisory Fee
$4,500(single applicant)
5% of government fee only. No hidden costs.
Passport Validity
7 years
Renewable passport. Citizenship is permanent and hereditary.
| Fee Component | Single Applicant | Couple | Family of 3 | Family of 4 | Each Add’l |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Government Donation (NTF) | $90,000 | $95,000 | $95,000 | $95,000 | $5,000 |
Due Diligence | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | N/A |
Passport Issuance ($350/person) | $350 | $700 | $1,050 | $1,400 | $350 |
National ID Card ($150/person) | $150 | $300 | $450 | $600 | $150 |
Citizenship Certificate ($250/person) | $250 | $500 | $750 | $1,000 | $250 |
21 CBI Advisory Fee (5%) | $4,500 | $4,750 | $4,750 | $4,750 | $250 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $100,250 | $106,250 | $107,000 | $107,750 | $6,000 |
● 21 CBI charges a flat 5% advisory fee on the government contribution only, compared to the 15 to 25% typically charged by traditional CBI firms.
Government donation is a flat $95,000 for families of 2–4. Per-person fees (passport, ID, certificate) scale by family size. Due diligence fees of ~$3,000–5,000 per adult may apply. All figures in USD. For live BTC/sats equivalents, use the calculator above. BTC rates shift; static sats figures go stale quickly.
$100,250 single-applicant all-in. $107,750 for a family of four. Lower than the down payment on a house in any major city. Bitcoin-payable, settled in 6 to 8 weeks.
We assess your profile, run a preliminary compliance review, and prepare your full document package. During this phase we identify potential issues before they reach the CIU’s desk. Family composition review, cost estimate with live Bitcoin rate quote, and complete documents checklist provided. Pay the $5,000 due diligence fee and advisory fees to begin.
~1–2 weeksYour application enters screening through the Dubai-based Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU). AML/CTF screening, international sanctions database checks, criminal record verification, and independent source of funds assessment. We monitor progress and keep you informed throughout via Signal.
~2–3 weeksCIU approval notification. Make the $90,000+ donation to the National Transformation Fund. 90 days to complete payment (90-day extension available). Bitcoin, USDT, or fiat accepted. Payment processed through our authorized legal channel. Oath of Allegiance documentation prepared.
~1–2 weeksCitizenship certificate, 7-year biometric passport, and national ID issued. Citizenship is permanent and hereditary. Post-approval onboarding: passport renewal guidance, dual citizenship notes, CPLP residency pathway information, and consular services access.
~1 weekTotal Duration: approximately 6–8 weeks from initial engagement to passport in hand.
São Tomé & Príncipe does not participate in the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), the OECD’s multilateral agreement for automatic exchange of financial account information. This means São Tomé does not automatically report financial accounts held by its citizens or residents to foreign tax authorities.
Important: Non-CRS status does not eliminate tax obligations in your country of origin. If you are a US citizen, you remain subject to US tax on worldwide income (FATCA). If you are a UK resident, you remain subject to UK tax on worldwide income unless you change tax residency. Non-CRS status means your financial information is not automatically shared through CRS channels; it does not mean you have no reporting obligations.
The benefit of Non-CRS status is privacy. Your financial accounts in São Tomé are not part of the automatic exchange network. For Bitcoiners who value financial privacy as a structural principle, not as a workaround, this is a meaningful differentiator from CRS-participating CBI jurisdictions like Vanuatu, Türkiye, and Malta. The implications depend on your specific situation; we walk you through them during your strategy call.
São Tomé & Príncipe maintains Double Taxation Treaties (DTAs) with Portugal and select other nations. The DTA with Portugal is particularly significant for CPLP pathway planning: it prevents double taxation on income that may arise as you structure residency between São Tomé and Portugal.
For a zero-tax jurisdiction (0% capital gains, 0% inheritance, 0% wealth tax for non-residents), comprehensive bilateral treaties are less critical than for high-tax jurisdictions. The DTA with Portugal creates specific structuring opportunities unavailable through other CBI programs.
The three pillars that make the São Tomé passport a credible sovereign instrument.
Published August 1, 2025 in the Diário da República of São Tomé & Príncipe. Establishes the legal foundation of the current Citizenship by Investment program.
São Tomé & Príncipe is a founding signatory of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, granting preferential residency access to Portugal and Brazil, plus mobility benefits across nine Portuguese Language member states.
Ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, opening market access across 54 African economies.
What the STP passport gives you the day it issues, versus what becomes accessible after the CPLP route through Portuguese residency.
| Dimension | STP Citizenship (Day 1) | Portuguese Citizenship (Year ~9) |
|---|---|---|
| Right to live in São Tomé | Lifetime | Lifetime (STP retained) |
| Right to live in Portugal | Visitor visa | Lifetime |
| Right to live across EU 27 | No | Yes |
| Schengen mobility | Visa required | Unlimited as EU citizen |
| Visa-free destinations | ~58 (STP passport) | 184 (Portuguese passport) |
| Tax structure | Non-CRS; 0% CGT, inheritance, wealth | Portuguese tax rules apply at residence |
| Time horizon from engagement | ~6 to 8 weeks | ~8 to 9 years |
| Cost | $90,000 + $4,500 advisory | Time, plus Portuguese residency costs |
| Outcome | Statutory if criteria met | Subject to Portuguese law |
Tell us about your situation. We’ll assess your eligibility and map your optimal pathway. No commitment.
Begin Your SovereigntyChoose STP if cost matters more than passport strength, you accept the smaller ~58-destination visa-free footprint in exchange for the cheapest CBI on the planet, Non-CRS jurisdictional posture is a feature, and you value the long-horizon CPLP route to Portuguese residency for your children. The contrast is direct: post-2024 Caribbean CBI floors sit at $200,000 or higher, and STP’s $90,000 base undercuts them by more than half. If you need speed first and CRS is not a concern, Vanuatu’s 30 to 60 day timeline is faster on the same Bitcoin-payable workflow. If Bitcoin-native sovereignty matters more than cost and your stack can absorb the higher tier, El Salvador’s $1,000,000 Freedom Passport is the only CBI program built around Bitcoin at the sovereign level. If you need US market access, Türkiye’s E-2 framework is the right tool. If full EU citizenship is the endgame, Malta’s discretionary, merit-based naturalisation framework is the only path, with an 8-month residency requirement and a 12 to 24 month timeline.
We do not stack cheap properties to inflate the file. The $90,000 government contribution is the floor; the program does not reward layered investments and we will not propose them.
We do not market STP as a tax dodge. Non-CRS is a jurisdictional posture, not an evasion tool. Your tax obligations in your country of residence remain unchanged; we walk through the implications during your strategy call.
We do not promise an exact timeline. The CIU averages 6 to 8 weeks; complex source-of-funds files run longer. The newest CBI in the world (launched August 2025) is also still building its operational rhythm.
We do not file STP for applicants who need Schengen or US visa-free access. The passport reaches 58 destinations; CPLP is the route to EU access, and that route is years long. If your priority is mobility this year, choose a different program.
Six to eight weeks. $90,000 in government fees. The lowest-friction Non-CRS passport in CBI.
Encrypted. No obligation. No payment required to start the conversation.
Adam Juchniewicz, CEO, 21 CBI. Filing through the Citizenship Investment Unit (Dubai) under Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025.
Answer 3 quick questions. We will tell you if you qualify and show you the numbers for your situation.
Bitcoin-Native Pricing
See exactly what your São Tomé & Príncipe citizenship costs in Bitcoin. Live pricing. No hidden fees; just our transparent 5% advisory fee.
Our advisory fee is payable in Bitcoin (on-chain, Lightning, or USDT). Government contributions and processing fees are handled through the Citizenship Investment Unit in Dubai with full transparency on conversion. Fiat bank transfer and credit cards also accepted. We coordinate the full payment logistics on your behalf.
5% advisory fee on government donation. Competitors charge 15–25%.
Receive a detailed breakdown for your records.
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Nationals of North Korea are not eligible for São Tomé & Príncipe citizenship by investment. As of the April 2026 Citizenship Investment Unit memorandum, applicants holding three or more nationalities are also temporarily suspended under Nationality Law No. 07/2022. Applicants with one or two existing nationalities remain fully eligible.
We list restrictions upfront. The same principle Satoshi applied to money, we apply to advisory: verifiable, not trust-based. If your situation is ambiguous, send an inquiry for an honest assessment.
São Tomé & Príncipe accepts applicants from nearly all nationalities. EU, US, UK, Canadian, Australian, and other Western nationals routinely process without friction. Multiple nationalities (one or two prior citizenships) remain fully eligible; the April 2026 CIU memo only suspends applicants holding three or more nationalities under Nationality Law No. 07/2022.
Document requirements may vary by applicant circumstances. 21 CBI coordinates all document preparation, translation, and apostille requirements as part of our advisory service.
Legally married spouse, or a documented de-facto partner with proof of shared life, files on the same São Tomé citizenship application with apostilled marriage certificate (or de-facto partnership documentation). Adding a spouse moves the government donation from $90,000 to $95,000; the $95,000 family rate covers up to four members total. Same passport, same visa-free reach, same hereditary citizenship.
Can be added to application
Unmarried children up to age 30 who are financially dependent on the main applicant. Children under 18 are included automatically; dependent children aged 18 to 30 require proof of financial dependence (full-time education, disability, etc.). Each child is included under the $95,000 family flat rate up to family of four.
Up to age 30
Parents aged 55 or older who are financially dependent on the main applicant. STP allows multi-generational filings; each parent or grandparent over 55 can be added under the family structure.
$5,000 per add’l dependent
STP allows post-approval additions: new spouse at $10,000, additional dependents at $5,000, newborns at $500. Newborns of São Tomé citizens receive automatic citizenship by descent under Nationality Law No. 07/2022.
Flexible additions0%
No tax on Bitcoin gains, investment returns, or asset appreciation. Buy, hold, and sell without capital gains friction.
0%
Pass your Bitcoin and wealth to future generations with zero inheritance or estate taxes.
0%
No annual tax on net worth, assets, or holdings. Your stack is yours.
0%
Non-residents pay zero tax on worldwide income. Only São Tomé-sourced income is taxable; offshore income stays untouched.
Non-CRS
São Tomé does not participate in the Common Reporting Standard (CRS). Financial account information is not automatically shared with foreign tax authorities through CRS channels. CRS reporting depends on where your accounts are held and where you are tax-resident; Non-CRS status in São Tomé does not erase reporting obligations tied to your home jurisdiction. Source: OECD CRS by jurisdiction portal. Consult a qualified tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
DTA
Double Taxation Treaties with Portugal and select nations prevent double taxation on cross-border income. The Portugal DTA is central to CPLP pathway structuring; we walk through the implications during your strategy call.
CPLP
São Tomé’s CPLP membership, combined with its Double Taxation Treaty with Portugal, creates a structuring pathway unavailable through any other CBI program: preferential residency access to Portugal, which can lead to Portuguese tax residency and, after seven years, eligibility for Portuguese citizenship and full EU access. The DTA prevents double taxation on income as you transition between jurisdictions. During your strategy call, we walk through the CPLP-specific steps and how they apply to your tax and residency situation.
Varies
São Tomé applies import duties on goods entering the country and a consumption tax (Imposto sobre Consumo) on certain transactions; property-related fees and stamp duty may apply on real estate and other transactions. The zero-tax framing on this page refers to direct income (for non-residents), capital gains, inheritance, and wealth taxes. Indirect taxes are a normal cost of operating in the jurisdiction. Consult a qualified tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
A US-based Bitcoiner selling 10 BTC at $75K each with a $23K cost basis realizes $520K in taxable gains. At the top federal rate (23.8% including NIIT), that’s $124K+ in federal taxes alone, before state taxes. With a second citizenship, proper structuring, and a long-term relocation strategy, that tax burden can be reduced dramatically or even eliminated entirely.
With São Tomé’s 0% capital gains tax, that $124K stays in your stack. Non-CRS status means your financial account information is not automatically shared with foreign tax authorities through CRS channels. At a program cost starting from ~$100K, your first tax-optimized Bitcoin exit pays for your passport. This is a simplified illustration for informational purposes only. Tax outcomes depend on individual circumstances, residency status, source country obligations (including US worldwide taxation for citizens), and full compliance with applicable tax law. This does not constitute tax advice. Consult a qualified cross-border tax advisor before making decisions based on this example.
São Tomé & Príncipe’s passport reaches ~58 destinations on a mix of visa-free and visa-on-arrival arrangements, anchored by the CPLP bloc (Portugal, Brazil, Cape Verde) and a working set of African and Asian markets. The 58 number is small by design; the program optimizes for Non-CRS jurisdictional structure and a long-horizon CPLP route to Portuguese citizenship, not raw mobility. Verified April 13, 2026.
Source: Henley Passport Index, verified April 13, 2026 (opens in new window)
For a passport starting at $90,000, São Tomé delivers remarkable global mobility. Visa-free access to Singapore, Hong Kong, and dozens of other key destinations puts it ahead of passports costing 2-3x more. As the program matures and São Tomé expands its diplomatic relationships, additional visa agreements are expected.
Showing 50 of 58 destinations
As a São Tomé & Príncipe citizen, you join the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries): an alliance of 9 nations with a combined GDP exceeding $3 trillion.
CPLP membership provides preferential access to markets across four continents, including potential pathways to Portuguese residency and, by extension, EU access. Combined with AfCFTA membership, this positions you at the intersection of Africa's Continental Free Trade Area, the world's largest free trade zone.
As a São Tomé & Príncipe citizen, you are a member of the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries), an alliance of 9 nations with a combined GDP of approximately $2.3 trillion. But the real prize is Europe.
CPLP citizens, including naturalized São Tomé citizens, may be eligible for preferential residency pathways in Portugal under CPLP bilateral agreements. Portugal has historically offered favorable immigration treatment to citizens of Lusophone nations. As of October 2025 (Portugal Law No. 61/2025), CPLP nationals must obtain a residence visa at a Portuguese consulate in their country of legal residence before entering Portugal; in-country conversion from tourist status is no longer available.
| São Tomé → Portugal | |
|---|---|
| CBI cost | $90,000 |
| CBI processing | ~6–8 weeks |
| Residency requirement | 7 years (CPLP nationals) |
| Total to EU passport | ~8–9 years |
| Legal basis | CPLP bilateral agreements |
At $90,000, São Tomé is the most affordable CBI entry point anywhere, and the CPLP framework provides a long-horizon pathway through Portuguese residency to EU citizenship. The timeline is long (7 years of legal residency in Portugal before naturalisation), but the capital outlay is a fraction of any other CBI with a route to Europe. For Bitcoiners prioritising capital efficiency over speed, this is the most affordable route to a European passport.
Immigration pathways are subject to change. The CPLP Mobility Agreement has been ratified by all nine member states; implementation details vary by country. Consult with a qualified Portuguese immigration advisor for current eligibility requirements. 21 CBI can connect you with specialized EU immigration counsel.
If speed is the priority, Vanuatu delivers a passport in 30–60 days, roughly half the processing time of São Tomé, at a higher entry point. Same zero-tax structure, with stronger visa-free access.
Processing
30–60 days
Destinations
88 countries
Capital gains
0%
If passport strength matters most, Türkiye offers access to ~113 countries including a US E‑2 investor visa pathway, a significant step up in global mobility from São Tomé’s ~58 destinations.
Processing
4–6 months
Destinations
113 countries
Capital gains
0% (5yr+)
You’re currently viewing: São Tomé & Príncipe, from $90,000 · 58 Destinations · ~6–8 weeks
Faster files and stronger passports below. If speed beats privacy on your file, Vanuatu processes in 30 to 60 days on the same Bitcoin-payable workflow. If you need US market access, Türkiye’s E‑2 framework is the route.
