I. Why an "Indirect Access to the EU" Path Is Needed

Over the past decade, significant changes have occurred in mainstream European immigration pathways:

• Investment immigration thresholds have continued to rise (e.g., Portugal’s Golden Visa has been substantially tightened)
• Visa reviews have become stricter, with a higher refusal rate
• Higher requirements for source of funds, residency, and background checks

Against this backdrop, a category of "structural pathways" has gradually emerged in the market:

Gaining access to the EU system through a third-country nationality, rather than applying directly for EU immigration programs

São Tomé and Príncipe has been re-evaluated under this logic.

Its core reason lies in:

It is a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and holds institutional entry value under the Portuguese legal system

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II. Legal Position and Nature of the São Tomé Investment Citizenship Program

The São Tomé and Príncipe Investment Citizenship Program is a government initiative established in August 2025 under its Nationality Law, granting applicants citizenship through a donation to the National Development Fund.

It should be clarified that:

The greatest advantage of this program, distinguishing it from traditional "immigration programs".

Is that it can provide applicants with:A third-country nationality with "institutional extensibility" obtained quickly

(I) Investment Structure and Costs

Current government regulations:

• Single applicant: USD 90,000
• Family (up to 4 people): USD 95,000
• Each additional dependent: USD 5,000

Additional fees include:

• Passport fees
• Citizenship certificate
• National identity card

(II) Approval and Time Efficiency

• Processing period: Approximately 2 months
• No language requirements
• No physical presence or residency requirements

This determines its positioning in global citizenship planning:"One of the fastest tools to obtain a second citizenship"

(III) Family Eligibility

The following family members may be included simultaneously:

• Spouse
• Children (up to 30 years old, financially dependent)
• Parents and grandparents (over 55 years old)

This structure is relatively rare among low-cost programs.

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III. Key Value: Access to Portugal via CPLP Citizenship

The São Tomé passport itself does not grant free movement rights within the EU; its core value lies in:CPLP membership → Special residency pathway under Portuguese law

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❓What Is the CPLP Pathway

Member states of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) enjoy institutional conveniences in terms of personnel mobility and residency.

Under Portugal’s current immigration system (reformed in 2023 and continuously adjusted), citizens of CPLP countries may enter the Portuguese residency system through the following pathways:

1. Apply for a Portuguese national visa (Type D) to enter the country

2. Apply for a CPLP residence permit (Autorização de Residência CPLP) after entry

Features of this residency system include:

• Relatively simplified approval process
• Application can be completed within Portugal
• High approval efficiency with complete documentation

According to Portuguese government service information, preliminary approval for a CPLP residence permit can be completed within a few days, and the physical residence card is usually issued within a few weeks.

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(I) Overall Process

1. Obtain a São Tomé passport (usually 1–3 months)

2. Apply for a Portuguese Type D visa (approximately 1–3 months)

3. Apply for a CPLP residence permit after entry (a few days to a few weeks)

The overall time to enter the Portuguese residency system is usually 3–6 months.

(II) Residency Term Structure

CPLP residence permits are generally issued as follows:

• Initial issuance: 1 or 2 years
• Renewal: Usually 2 years
• After 5 years: Eligible to apply for permanent residency or citizenship

It is particularly emphasized that this pathway requires applicants to reside physically in Portugal and is not applicable to investment visa models with "low residency requirements".

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IV. Rights and Obligations During Residency

(I) Right to Work

Holders of a CPLP residence permit:

• Do not need an additional work permit
• May be employed or engage in self-employment directly in Portugal

This is one of the key advantages of this pathway.

(II) Residency and Minimum Financial Requirements

Applicants must prove basic financial capacity. The general reference standard is:

• Annual income not lower than the Portuguese minimum wage (approximately €10,000 per year)

This requirement is a relatively low threshold in practice.

(III) Right to Education

Minor children holding a residence permit may:

• Enroll in Portuguese public schools
• Access the same educational resources as local residents

In higher education:

• Pay tuition fees at EU student rates
• Tuition fees are usually 50% to 80% lower than those for international students

(IV) Healthcare System

Residence permit holders may register with the Portuguese National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, SNS):

• Highly subsidized basic medical services
• Outpatient fees usually range from €5 to €20

This system has wide coverage and is part of the European public healthcare system.

(V) Social Security

After legally working and paying social security contributions, holders may gradually obtain:

• Unemployment benefits
• Family allowances
• Pension entitlements

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V. Business and Tax Environment

(I) Access to Corporate and Financial Systems

After obtaining residency, applicants may:

• Establish a company in Portugal
• Open an EU bank account
• Use the SEPA unified payment system

This has practical significance for cross-border trade and asset allocation.

(II) Tax System (NHR and Its Alternative Mechanisms)

Portugal once implemented the Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) tax regime, with main features including:

• Tax exemption for certain overseas income
• A flat tax rate of 20% for high value-added occupations
• Valid for 10 years

Although the regime has been adjusted in recent years, alternative preferential policies still exist, and specific applicability requires analysis based on the latest tax laws and individual cases.

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VI. Timeline from Residency to Citizenship

Under the current legal framework, the general pathway is as follows:

1. Months 0–6: Complete visa and initial residency application

2. Years 1–5: Maintain legal residency and renew permits

3. After 5 years: Eligible to apply for permanent residency

4. Years 5–7: Apply for Portuguese citizenship after meeting requirements

It should be noted that:

• Current policy trends are toward extending the naturalization period
• Citizens of CPLP countries usually have more favorable timelines than ordinary applicants

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VII. Naturalization Requirements

Application for Portuguese citizenship generally requires:

1. Meeting the legal residency period requirement

2. Portuguese language proficiency (A2 level)

3. No serious criminal record

Upon obtaining Portuguese citizenship, applicants automatically acquire EU citizenship.

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VIII. Legal Effects of EU Citizenship

After obtaining Portuguese citizenship, applicants will gain:

1. The right to live and work freely in 27 EU member states

2. Access to the EU-wide education and social welfare systems

3. High global travel mobility

4. Permanent and stable legal status

For applicants seeking to enter the European citizenship system at a reasonable cost with medium-to-long-term planning capacity, the São Tomé Investment Citizenship Program combined with the CPLP pathway offers a practically feasible solution.

The key to this pathway lies not in obtaining a single citizenship in the short term, but in gradually transitioning from a third-country nationality to EU citizenship through an institutional channel.

🇪🇺 If you are considering planning your European citizenship through a more structural and extensible approach, or wish to assess whether this pathway suits your personal or family situation, it is recommended to conduct a comprehensive evaluation under professional guidance.

📖 According to official program requirements, all São Tomé Investment Citizenship applications must be submitted through government-authorized agents; direct individual applications are not accepted.

✨ Star Jet Immigration Law Firm, as an official authorized agent of São Tomé and Príncipe, can provide applicants with full-process compliance support and professional evaluation services.

❤️ Should you wish to learn more about the São Tomé program or future EU citizenship planning, feel free to send a private message or call us for detailed information.

☎️ 0121 517 1168; 0161 521 9800; 0795 668 8888

✉️ admin@starjetimmigration.com ✉️ weina@starjetimmigration.com