Client story
Client's Story
Where they started
The client—a yacht owner—was seeking a convenient flag for vessel registration and was also considering second citizenship for himself. Learning that São Tomé and Príncipe offered both, he wanted to combine them within one jurisdiction.
Why the standard route did not work
The context here is real: São Tomé and Príncipe operates an open international ship registry, under whose flag vessels and yachts are registered in accordance with the applicable Maritime Code. It is an "open" registry—meaning a foreign owner can also register a vessel provided they meet the registry standards. For a yacht owner, such a flag can be advantageous in terms of registration and operational conditions.
What BRIDGES had to solve
Combining with citizenship completes the picture: the client obtains a second São Tomé and Príncipe passport for himself and registers his yacht under the flag of the same jurisdiction—the flag for the vessel and citizenship for the owner are thus coordinated within one country. It is important to understand that these are two separate procedures: citizenship is obtained through an investment program (fund contribution), and yacht registration follows ship registry rules; a passport does not replace registration and vice versa. However, together they provide a convenient, coordinated structure.
Why a standard answer would not do
At BRIDGES, the client came for this package: to obtain São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship for himself and coordinate yacht registration under the São Tomé and Príncipe flag, obtaining both flag and passport in one jurisdiction.
I was looking for a convenient flag for my yacht and was also thinking about a second passport. It turned out that São Tomé and Príncipe has both an open ship registry for yachts and a citizenship program. Igor brought it all together: I obtained a São Tomé and Príncipe passport for myself and registered my yacht under its flag. He honestly explained that these are two separate procedures—citizenship through the program, registration under maritime rules—but together they created a coordinated structure. Flag and passport in one jurisdiction—exactly what I wanted.
