# São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Marriage, Descent and Naturalisation

São Tomé and Príncipe nationality is governed by Law n.º 07/2022 of 10 March 2022. A foreign spouse can acquire it after more than five years of marriage to a São Toméan national, by declaration (Art. 6); a de facto partner after more than three years and court recognition. Children of a São Toméan parent born abroad, and grandchildren, are citizens of origin (Art. 5). Ordinary naturalisation requires five years of legal residence and knowledge of Portuguese or a national language (Art. 10); both can be waived for investors and donors, which is the basis of the citizenship by investment programme.

- **One law:** Nationality Law n.º 07/2022 (Diário da República, I Série, n.º 25, 10 March 2022), with Article 3 of the Constitution.
- **Descent:** children of a São Toméan parent born abroad are citizens of origin if they declare that they wish to be; grandchildren born abroad are also covered (Art. 5).
- **Marriage:** more than five years of marriage to a São Toméan national, by declaration made during the marriage (Art. 6). De facto union: more than three years, after court recognition.
- **Naturalisation:** five years of legal residence, Portuguese or a national language, and four further conditions (Art. 10). Residence and language can be waived for investors and donors.
- **Dual nationality** is kept, but naturalisation is barred for anyone holding more than two foreign nationalities (Art. 11).

## Which law governs São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship?

São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship is governed by Article 3 of the Constitution and by the Nationality Law, Lei n.º 07/2022, published in the Diário da República (I Série, n.º 25) on 10 March 2022. The law defines how nationality is attributed at birth, acquired later, lost and reacquired, and it repealed the earlier Law n.º 6/90.

The Constitution states that São Toméan citizens are all those born in the national territory, the children of a São Toméan father or mother, and those treated as such by law ([Constitution, Art. 3](https://citizenshiprightsafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/STP_Constituicao_25-Jan-03.pdf)). The Nationality Law fills in the detail. Every rule below was read in the [gazette text of Law n.º 07/2022](https://citizenshiprightsafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/STP-Lei.07.2022.pdf) on 10 November 2026, and we cite the article each time. Article 26 leaves procedure to separate regulations, so documents, forms and fees are confirmed case by case.

## Who is a São Toméan citizen by origin?

A São Toméan citizen by origin is a person who falls into one of six categories listed in Article 5 of the Nationality Law, based on birth in the territory or on descent from a São Toméan parent or grandparent. Nationality of origin takes effect from birth (Art. 2).

- People born in São Tomé and Príncipe to a São Toméan father or mother (Art. 5(a)).
- People born abroad to a São Toméan father or mother who is serving the São Toméan State (Art. 5(b)).
- Children of a São Toméan father or mother, born abroad, who declare that they wish to be São Toméan (Art. 5(c)).
- Grandchildren of a São Toméan national, born abroad (Art. 5(d)).
- People born in São Tomé and Príncipe whose parents are stateless or of unknown nationality, as declared by a court (Art. 5(e)).
- People born in São Tomé and Príncipe to foreign parents who reside in the territory and are not there in the service of their own State (Art. 5(f)).

## Can you claim São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by descent if you were born abroad?

Yes. A person born abroad to a São Toméan father or mother is a citizen of origin on declaring the wish to be São Toméan, and the grandchildren of a São Toméan national born abroad are also listed as citizens of origin (Law n.º 07/2022, Art. 5(c) and (d)). The law sets no generational residence test for these two categories.

Two conditions in the text matter in practice. First, parentage generally has to be established while the child is a minor to count for nationality; the law makes an exception for paternity or maternity recognised after majority (Art. 4). Second, the declaration can be made before a São Toméan diplomatic or consular agent, who sends the supporting documents to the Central Registry Office for registration, but consular registration on its own is not proof of nationality (Art. 22).

The law does not list the documents for a descent claim. Expect to prove the chain with birth and marriage certificates for each generation. Mirabello's [citizenship by descent service](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/citizenship-by-descent) starts with exactly that document chain.

## How does São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by marriage work?

São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by marriage is available to a foreigner who has been married to a São Toméan national for more than five years, by a declaration made while the marriage subsists, on application (Law n.º 07/2022, Art. 6(1)). The article refers to marriage under the regime of community of acquired property. Marriage does not confer nationality automatically.

| Route | Minimum duration | How it is acquired | Article |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Marriage to a São Toméan national | More than five years | Declaration made during the marriage, on application | Art. 6(1) |
| De facto union with a São Toméan national | More than three years at the date of the declaration | After a court action recognising the union, brought in the Civil Court | Art. 6(2) |

If the marriage or union is later annulled or declared void, a spouse or partner who entered it in good faith keeps the nationality already acquired (Art. 6(3)). The spouse of a person who becomes São Toméan by naturalisation acquires nationality on the same terms, under Article 6 (Art. 10(5)).

### Can the State oppose a marriage application?

Yes. The Public Prosecutor can oppose acquisition by marriage, de facto union, filiation, adoption or naturalisation within six months of the declaration, before the court of first instance (Art. 20). The grounds are failure to meet the legal requirements, lack of integration into São Toméan society, acts against public health or State security, and a conviction of the kind described in Article 11(4) (Art. 19).

Married to a São Toméan and unsure where you stand? See Mirabello's [citizenship by marriage service](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/citizenship-by-marriage) or [ask us in a free consultation](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation).

## What are the requirements for ordinary naturalisation in São Tomé and Príncipe?

Ordinary naturalisation in São Tomé and Príncipe requires at least five years of legal residence in the country, together with five further conditions that must all be met (Law n.º 07/2022, Art. 10(1)). Naturalisation is granted by Government decree on the favourable opinion of the Minister of Justice, at the applicant's request (Art. 12).

- Be an adult under São Toméan law.
- Have resided legally in São Toméan territory for at least five years.
- Have sufficient knowledge of Portuguese or of one of the national languages.
- Have no final conviction carrying a prison sentence of three years or more.
- Not be a danger or threat to national security or defence.
- Carry on an activity that provides the means to support yourself.

Two restrictions sit alongside these. Nationality is not granted to a foreigner whose criminal record shows a sentence of more than one year in prison (Art. 11(4)). And naturalisation is preceded by a prior review by the Public Prosecutor, within 30 days (Art. 10(6)).

## Which naturalisation conditions does the investment decree waive?

Under the investment route, two of the six conditions can be waived: the five years of legal residence and the language requirement. Article 10(3) of the Nationality Law allows both to be dispensed with for a foreigner who invests in or donates to the country, and Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025 carries that waiver over to its applicants (decree Art. 10(1)). The official programme site confirms that no residence is required.

The legal hook is Article 10(2) of the law, which lets the Government grant nationality to a foreigner who makes investments that contribute significantly to the country's development, or a donation in the form of direct financial support. The other conditions still apply: adulthood, the criminal record limits, the security test and the Public Prosecutor's review. In the programme, the qualifying donation is USD 90,000 for a single applicant or USD 95,000 for a family of 2 to 4, paid to the National Transformation Fund. The [São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment page](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/immigration/sao-tome-principe-citizenship-by-investment) has the full fee schedule and process.

## How do children and adopted children acquire nationality?

Minor children can acquire São Toméan nationality alongside a parent, and a minor fully adopted by a São Toméan national acquires it by adoption (Law n.º 07/2022, Art. 7, 9 and 10(4)). Three provisions cover the cases.

- **Children of a person who acquires nationality:** minors, and people without legal capacity who are legally represented, may also acquire it by declaration (Art. 7).
- **Children of a person being naturalised:** nationality may be granted to minor children in the same act if the parent asks, and they may apply themselves up to one year after reaching majority (Art. 10(4)).
- **Adoption:** a minor who is fully adopted by a São Toméan national acquires nationality, including a foreign or stateless minor (Art. 9).

## Does São Tomé and Príncipe allow dual nationality?

Yes. A São Toméan who acquires another nationality keeps São Toméan nationality unless they declare otherwise (Constitution, Art. 3(2); Law n.º 07/2022, Art. 15). People who naturalise are not asked by the law to give up the nationality they already hold.

There is one limit, and it applies to naturalisation only. Nationality may not be granted to a person who holds more than two foreign nationalities, and a naturalised citizen who later acquires a fourth nationality loses São Toméan nationality (Art. 11(1) and (2)). The Citizenship by Investment Unit applied the same rule in a memorandum of 10 April 2026, which placed new applications from people holding three or more foreign nationalities on hold.

## How is São Toméan nationality lost, renounced or reacquired?

São Toméan nationality can be given up by declaration, and it can be lost in the cases the Nationality Law lists in Articles 14 and 16. The rules differ for citizens of origin and naturalised citizens.

| Situation | Citizen of origin | Naturalised citizen |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Renunciation | By declaring, with proof of another nationality, that you do not wish to be São Toméan (Art. 14(a)) | By declaring that you do not wish to be São Toméan (Art. 16(1)) |
| Other grounds of loss | Exercising functions of sovereignty for a foreign State, or non-compulsory military service for one (Art. 14(b)) | Acts against State security, repeated acts against public health, or nationality obtained by forgery or fraud; ordered after a final criminal conviction, with no reacquisition (Art. 16(2) and (3)) |
| Reacquisition | By declaration after three years of permanent residence in the country (Art. 17(1)) | After five years of permanent residence, where it was lost by renunciation (Art. 17(2)) |

Loss takes effect from the date the underlying act or fact is registered (Art. 18).

## Where are São Tomé and Príncipe nationality applications made?

Declarations to obtain São Toméan nationality can be made abroad before a São Toméan diplomatic or consular agent, who sends the supporting documents to the Central Registry Office for registration (Law n.º 07/2022, Art. 22(1)). The consular option does not apply to naturalisation (Art. 22(3)), and every grant, loss or reacquisition is recorded against the person's birth entry (Art. 21). The law does not name the office that receives each declaration inside the country, so the filing point is confirmed case by case.

Naturalisation is requested from the Government and granted by decree (Art. 12). Investment applications follow their own channel: they are submitted to the Citizenship by Investment Unit through a licensed marketing agent, as the [official programme FAQ](https://cip.gov.st/faq) states. Decisions on nationality can be appealed by the person concerned, and appeals are heard by the Supreme Court of Justice (Art. 23 to 25).

## Family routes or the investment route: which fits you?

The family routes cost little but depend on a relationship you already have and on time: a São Toméan parent or grandparent, or more than five years of marriage. The investment route needs no family link and no residence, and costs USD 95,750 in official costs for a single applicant, before professional fees, with an official timeline of 5 to 6 months.

| Route | Who qualifies | Time condition | Residence required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Descent | Child or grandchild of a São Toméan national, born abroad | None stated in the law | No |
| Marriage | Spouse of a São Toméan national | More than five years of marriage | None stated in the law |
| De facto union | Partner of a São Toméan national | More than three years, recognised by a court | None stated in the law |
| Ordinary naturalisation | Adult foreign resident | Five years of legal residence | Yes |
| Investment or donation | Adult applicant who passes due diligence | About 2 months to a decision, 5 to 6 months in total (official) | No |

The investment programme has its own family rules. The official [eligibility page](https://cip.gov.st/eligibility-criteria) lists a spouse or de facto partner, children up to 30 years, and parents and grandparents from 55 years in one application; a CIU memorandum of 10 April 2026 placed passport issuance for adult dependent children on hold pending a revised framework. A spouse can also be added after approval for USD 10,000 plus a USD 5,000 submission fee. Our [cost guide](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/blog/sao-tome-principe-cbi-cost-2026) itemises each fee, and the [passport guide](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/blog/sao-tome-principe-passport-visa-free-2026) shows where the passport travels.

If you have no family link, compare São Tomé and Príncipe with other options in our guide to the [best citizenship by investment programmes](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/best-citizenship-by-investment-programs), and check the [São Tomé requirements and documents](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/blog/sao-tome-principe-cbi-requirements-2026) before you decide.

Mirabello Consultancy, a Swiss investment migration advisory and Investment Migration Council member ([about us](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/about)), advises on all three paths: citizenship by descent, citizenship by marriage and citizenship by investment. Investment applications are filed through a government-licensed agent; we advise you on the right route, prepare the file with you and coordinate the process. [Book a free consultation](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation) in any of our 11 languages.

In summary

São Tomé and Príncipe nationality can be claimed by descent from a São Toméan parent or grandparent, acquired after more than five years of marriage or three years of recognised de facto union, or granted by naturalisation after five years of legal residence. The investment route is the same naturalisation with residence and language waived. The statute gives the rules; the registry practice, documents and fees are confirmed case by case. [Book a free consultation with Mirabello Consultancy](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation) and we will check which route your family history or your plans support.

Frequently asked questions

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I get São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by marriage?

Yes. A foreigner married to a São Toméan national for more than five years can acquire São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by a declaration made during the marriage, on application, under Article 6(1) of Nationality Law n.º 07/2022. Marriage does not confer nationality automatically.

### How long do you have to be married to get São Toméan citizenship?

More than five years. Article 6(1) of São Tomé and Príncipe's Nationality Law n.º 07/2022 requires more than five years of marriage to a São Toméan national. A partner in a de facto union needs more than three years and a court judgment recognising the union.

### Can I claim São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship through a parent or grandparent?

Yes. Under Article 5 of Nationality Law n.º 07/2022, a child of a São Toméan father or mother born abroad is a citizen of origin on declaring the wish to be São Toméan, and grandchildren of a São Toméan national born abroad are also citizens of origin. The declaration can be made at a São Toméan consulate.

### How many years of residence does São Tomé and Príncipe require for naturalisation?

Five years. Ordinary naturalisation in São Tomé and Príncipe requires at least five years of legal residence, sufficient knowledge of Portuguese or a national language, adulthood, no final prison sentence of three years or more, no security risk and the means to support yourself (Law n.º 07/2022, Art. 10(1)).

### Does São Tomé and Príncipe allow dual citizenship?

Yes. A São Toméan who acquires another nationality keeps São Toméan nationality unless they declare otherwise (Constitution, Art. 3(2); Law n.º 07/2022, Art. 15). Naturalisation is barred for a person holding more than two foreign nationalities, and a naturalised citizen who acquires a fourth nationality loses São Toméan nationality (Art. 11).

### Can São Toméan citizenship be lost or renounced?

Yes. A São Toméan can renounce nationality by declaration. A naturalised citizen loses nationality permanently for acts against State security, repeated acts against public health, or obtaining nationality by forgery or fraud, after a final criminal conviction (Law n.º 07/2022, Art. 16).

### Is citizenship by investment faster than marriage or naturalisation in São Tomé and Príncipe?

Yes. São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment has an official timeline of 5 to 6 months and no residence requirement, against more than five years of marriage or five years of legal residence for the other routes. It requires a donation of USD 90,000 for a single applicant, with official costs of USD 95,750 in total.

### How do I start with Mirabello Consultancy?

Start with a free, confidential consultation. Mirabello Consultancy reviews your family history and your goals, tells you whether descent, marriage or investment is the right route to São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship, and coordinates the file. [Book your free consultation](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation) in any of our 11 languages.

## Ready to explore your options?

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Source: Mirabello Consultancy, verified 2026-11-10, https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/blog/sao-tome-principe-citizenship-by-marriage-descent-2026
Free consultation: https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation
Machine-readable data: Mirabello MCP https://mcp.mirabelloconsultancy.com/v1/programmes/sao-tome-cbi