São Tomé’s Citizenship by Investment Programme in 2026: 7 Key Developments
São Tomé and Príncipe’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme underwent several regulatory and operational developments in 2026. These included the revocation of a marketing agent’s licence, changes to identity document procedures, restrictions affecting certain applicants with multiple nationalities, and the release of the programme’s first-year performance figures.
These developments are relevant to investors and families considering a second citizenship. They highlight the importance of checking eligibility requirements, understanding the practical steps involved in obtaining citizenship and a passport, and looking beyond advertised fees or estimated processing times when assessing an investment migration programme.
Here are seven key developments reported between January and 20 October 2026.
1. January 2026: The Programme Issues Its First Passport
During the programme’s early months, São Tomé and Príncipe began moving from the launch phase to issuing travel documents to successful applicants. The programme’s first-year report later recorded that its first passport had been issued in January 2026.
This was an important milestone for the newly launched programme, which began operating in September 2025. However, a successful application does not necessarily mean that all subsequent citizenship and passport procedures have been completed. These stages should be assessed separately when evaluating a programme’s performance.
2. 12 February 2026: Marketing Agent Loses Licence Over Pricing
On 12 February 2026, the authorities revoked the licence of a marketing agent after the agent offered the programme at a price below the prescribed cost, according to a report on the case.
The reported offer was US$89,000, while the total cost for the case in question was US$95,750, including the applicable fees. This amount comprised a US$90,000 contribution to the National Transformation Fund, a US$5,000 application fee and a US$750 administrative fee.
The decision highlights the importance of complying with licensing agreements and pricing rules. It also underlines the need for applicants to verify an agent’s authorisation and obtain a clear breakdown of the total cost before proceeding.
3. 10 April 2026: Changes Affect Multiple Nationalities and Document Procedures
On 10 April 2026, the Citizenship by Investment Unit issued a memorandum outlining three significant operational and legal developments.
Remote identity document procedures: The memorandum introduced a process allowing national identity cards to be issued through video verification with the Civil Registry and Notary Office, replacing the previous requirement for in-person biometric verification under the earlier procedures.
Restrictions affecting applicants with multiple nationalities: The Unit announced a suspension of new applications from individuals who already held three or more foreign nationalities, pending legislative clarification under Citizenship Law No. 07/2022.
Adult dependants: The memorandum also stated that passport issuance for dependent children over the age of 18 would remain suspended until a revised legal framework governing their status was established.
These measures are detailed in the memorandum on legislative and operational updates.
The developments matter because eligibility rules and document issuance procedures can affect not only the main applicant but also family members included in an application.
4. 16 April 2026: A New Passport Issuance System Begins Operating
On 16 April 2026, the government of São Tomé and Príncipe announced the introduction of a new passport issuance system as part of broader efforts to modernise public services, strengthen document security and align procedures with international standards.
The announcement represented an operational update, but it did not, by itself, establish that every application would be processed at the same speed or that legal restrictions affecting certain applicant categories had been lifted.
The government’s announcement can be accessed through the official government website.
5. 1 September 2026: First-Year Report Reveals Programme Performance
The programme’s first-year report provided a clearer picture of its operational performance, including application volumes, approvals and passport issuance.
According to the reported figures:
- 548 applications were received during the programme’s first year.
- 350 applications were approved.
- 12 applications were rejected.
- 186 applications remained under review.
- 117 cases resulted in citizenship being granted.
- 29 passports were issued during the reporting period.
- More than US$9.8 million was collected for the National Transformation Fund.
The figures point to a gap between the number of approved applications and the number of passports issued. The report acknowledged that document issuance had not kept pace with approvals and indicated that the Unit was working to improve procedures, coordination between government bodies and operational capacity.
For prospective applicants, these figures reinforce the importance of distinguishing between an application being submitted, receiving approval, being granted citizenship and obtaining a passport. These are separate stages, and progress at one stage should not be taken as a guarantee of immediate completion of the next.
Further details are available in this analysis of the programme’s first-year results.
6. 21 September 2026: Clarification on Adult Family Members
On 21 September 2026, the São Tomé and Príncipe consulate in Berlin published a clarification concerning adult family members included in citizenship applications.
According to the clarification, children aged 18 to 30 and parents or grandparents aged 55 and above may generally be included where the applicable dependency requirements are met. However, the completion of citizenship procedures and passport issuance for these categories remained suspended pending the entry into force of the revised legal provisions.
This distinction is important for families considering a joint application. Being eligible for inclusion in an application does not necessarily mean that every family member can complete the citizenship process and receive a passport at the same time as the main applicant.
The details are available in the consulate’s update on the latest changes.
7. 27 September–9 October 2026: Elections Raise Questions About Administrative Timelines
São Tomé and Príncipe held parliamentary elections on 27 September 2026. No single party secured an outright majority, and the final results were announced in the following days.
An analysis published on 9 October raised the possibility that procedures requiring Cabinet approval could be affected while a government was being formed. However, this was an assessment of potential administrative implications, not an official announcement that the Citizenship by Investment programme had been suspended or that its eligibility requirements had changed.
As of 20 October 2026, the sources reviewed for this article did not establish that the election had resulted in an official change to the programme’s rules. Any potential impact on processing should therefore be treated as an issue to monitor rather than a confirmed regulatory change.
What Do These Developments Mean for Investors?
The developments of 2026 show why assessing São Tomé and Príncipe’s Citizenship by Investment programme requires more than reviewing the contribution amount. Legal eligibility, multiple-nationality rules, the treatment of family members and passport issuance procedures can all influence an applicant’s decision and expected timeline.
The first-year figures also highlight the importance of understanding the distinction between application submission, approval, the granting of citizenship and passport issuance. Each stage has its own requirements, and completion of one does not automatically guarantee immediate completion of the next.
Families should pay particular attention to the eligibility and procedural status of each dependant, especially where adult children or applicants with multiple nationalities are involved.
The bottom line: São Tomé and Príncipe’s CBI programme saw significant regulatory and operational developments in 2026, including changes to document procedures, restrictions affecting certain applicant categories and the publication of its first-year performance figures. Anyone considering applying should verify the rules in force at the time of application and confirm the latest official guidance before making a decision.
At Brief Gates, we monitor regulatory developments across citizenship and residency by investment programmes to help investors and families understand the requirements, assess international options and make informed decisions.
Contact Brief Gates to discuss citizenship and residency options aligned with your personal and investment objectives.
Information reviewed as of 20 October 2026. Programme rules and procedures may change; applicants should verify the current legal position before proceeding.
