Updated: June 2026

Case study · Sao Tome and Principe · Citizenship

How a family of four obtained São Tomé citizenshipthrough an affordable package

For families, the cost of a second citizenship often accumulates per family member and quickly escalates. Our family of four from Angola sought an affordable way to obtain passports for everyone simultaneously. São Tomé and Príncipe - a new and one of the most accessible programs - offers a family package of approximately $100,000 for four people. This is a straightforward case about a reasonable family investment. We explain how we processed everyone's applications.

Sergey EvdokimovSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGESReading time8 min readVerificationReviewed by an expert

This case is based on a real matter. The name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

BRIDGES client story - How a family of four obtained São Tomé citizenship through an affordable package
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Family of four from Angola
Objective
Second passport for the entire family at an affordable cost
Program
São Tomé and Príncipe, Citizenship by Investment
Key points
Family package covers up to 4 individuals
Amount
Donation approximately $95,000 for a family of up to 4 plus fees (total approximately $100,000)
Format
Remote processing, no residency requirement, approximately ~2 months
Result
All 4 family members became citizens under a single package

Client story

Client background

Where they started

A family of four - married couple with two children from Angola - sought to obtain second citizenship for all members simultaneously. The primary consideration was budget: for families, costs accumulate per member, and most programs for four individuals become expensive.

Why the standard route did not work

São Tomé and Príncipe is a new program (introduced by Decree-Law 07/2025) and one of the most affordable options. Its structure is convenient for families: the donation to the National Transformation Fund is structured as a family package covering up to four individuals - approximately $95,000 per family, plus established fees, totaling approximately $100,000 for all four. For this family, this was significantly more advantageous than paying separately for each member under more expensive programs.

What BRIDGES had to solve

The program is also processed entirely remotely, with no residency requirement, taking approximately two months - the family did not need to relocate. An additional advantage for Angolan nationals: São Tomé and Príncipe is a member of CPLP, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, which is culturally and linguistically close to them. We confirmed family composition, prepared documentation for all four members, and processed citizenship through a single family package.

Why a standard answer would not do

The family approached BRIDGES seeking an affordable solution: to obtain São Tomé citizenship for all four members through a single package of approximately $100,000, processed remotely and without unnecessary complications.

There are four of us - myself, my wife, and two children, and we needed a second passport for everyone without substantial expenses. Anna suggested São Tomé: a new program with the donation structured as a family package for up to four people - it came to approximately one hundred thousand dollars total for everyone, not separately for each person. Everything was processed remotely, we didn't travel anywhere, and completed it in approximately two months. And for us Angolans, it's also culturally close: São Tomé and Príncipe is a Portuguese-speaking country, part of CPLP. For our family, this was the most financially reasonable approach.

Elena · Family headThe name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

Key considerations

Key considerations

There was no threat - the task was to provide passports for the entire family affordably. The risk was selecting a program where payments are made separately per individual, resulting in overpayment for four members. The key was to utilize the São Tomé family package, covering up to 4 individuals, and properly document all members.

For families, costs accumulate per family member

  1. 01Most programs for four individuals are expensive
  2. 02The São Tomé donation is structured as a family package for up to 4 individuals
  3. 03The family package amount is approximately $95,000 plus fees (approximately $100,000 total)
  4. 04The program is processed remotely, with no residency requirement

The logic of the solution

How the matter progressed: from checks to result

The chart is built from the facts of this matter and shows the logic of the work without decorative or unverified data.

BasisStage 1

We heard the budget requirement. First, we understood the priority: the family needed passports for all four without substantial expenses. This guided our search for a program with a family package.

  • 01
    Stage 2

    We selected an affordable program. We determined that São Tomé and Príncipe is a new and one of the most affordable programs, with its donation structured as a family package for up to four persons.

  • 02
    Stage 3

    We calculated the financial benefit for the family. We demonstrated that the package (approximately $95,000 plus fees, approximately $100,000 total) is more advantageous than paying per person under more expensive programs.

  • 03
    Stage 4

    We confirmed family composition and documentation. We prepared documents for all four family members—spouses and two children—in accordance with program requirements.

  • 04
    Stage 5

    We processed one package remotely. We made the donation and prepared the application for the entire family under one family package, completely remotely, without residency requirement.

Takeaway. Conclusion: São Tomé and Príncipe is a new and one of the most affordable programs; its donation is structured as a family package for up to 4 persons (approximately $100,000 total), processed remotely. For families this is more advantageous than paying per person under expensive programs.

How we handled the matter

How we handled the matter

The work was split into verifiable stages so that every conclusion rested on documents.

  1. 01

    Stage 1

    We heard the budget requirement. First, we understood the priority: the family needed passports for all four without substantial expenses. This guided our search for a program with a family package.

  2. 02

    Stage 2

    We selected an affordable program. We determined that São Tomé and Príncipe is a new and one of the most affordable programs, with its donation structured as a family package for up to four persons.

  3. 03

    Stage 3

    We calculated the financial benefit for the family. We demonstrated that the package (approximately $95,000 plus fees, approximately $100,000 total) is more advantageous than paying per person under more expensive programs.

  4. 04

    Stage 4

    We confirmed family composition and documentation. We prepared documents for all four family members—spouses and two children—in accordance with program requirements.

  5. 05

    Stage 5

    We processed one package remotely. We made the donation and prepared the application for the entire family under one family package, completely remotely, without residency requirement.

  6. 06

    Stage 6

    We obtained passports for the entire family. All four family members obtained São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship under one affordable package. The family obtained a unified status without overpaying for individual applications.

Expert comment

For families, I always first calculate the total cost for all members, because the price accumulates per family member, and for a family of four the difference between programs can be substantial. São Tomé and Príncipe stands out favorably here: it is a new program, one of the most affordable, and its donation is structured as a family package covering up to four persons for one amount—approximately ninety-five thousand plus established fees, approximately one hundred thousand for the entire family. For a family of four this is significantly less expensive than paying per person under more expensive Caribbean programs. Additionally, the program is completely remote, with no residency requirement, and is processed in approximately two months—the family does not need to relocate. For this family from Angola, the choice was also culturally appropriate: São Tomé and Príncipe is a Portuguese-speaking country and member of CPLP. We processed all four family members under one package, and the family obtained a second passport affordably and without unnecessary complications. When it comes to families, selecting the right program means direct savings.

Sergey Evdokimov, Managing Partner, BRIDGESSergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGES

Outcome

What the client received

Requirements
How we delivered · Result
Passports for the entire family
Family package up to 4 · All four are citizens
Affordable
Donation ~$95,000 + fees · Approximately $100,000 total for all
No overpayment per person
One package instead of individual applications · Savings for the family
No travel required
Remote processing · Family remained in place
No travel required
Remote processing · Family remained in place

What was needed: a family of four from Angola wanted an affordable second passport for all. What we did: we identified the budget requirement; we selected an affordable program; we calculated the financial benefit for the family; we confirmed family composition and documentation; we processed one package remotely; we obtained passports for all family members. What the client received: citizenship of São Tomé and Príncipe for all four family members under one affordable package.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: São Tomé and Príncipe is a new and one of the most affordable programs; its donation is structured as a family package for up to 4 persons (approximately $100,000 total), processed remotely. For families this is more advantageous than paying per person under expensive programs.
  • The entire family obtained passports affordably—because we utilized the São Tomé and Príncipe family package for up to four persons and processed all family members with one application remotely, without overpaying per person.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01What is the cost of São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship for a family of four?

A donation to the National Transformation Fund is structured as a family package for up to four persons—approximately $95,000 plus established fees, totaling approximately $100,000 for the entire family. Exact amounts are confirmed with the authorized body.

02Is this more advantageous than other programs?

For a family of four - generally yes: a family package covers everyone for a single fee, whereas in many programs you pay separately for each family member, making it more expensive for four people.

03Is accommodation or travel required?

No. The São Tomé program is processed entirely remotely, with no residency requirement, typically within approximately two months - the family does not need to relocate.

04Who is included in the family package?

Generally, the primary applicant, spouse, and children - up to four persons in the basic package; additional family members are processed with an additional fee. The composition is confirmed with the competent authority.

05What does São Tomé citizenship provide?

An accessible second passport, processed remotely; the country is a member of CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries). Visa regime and applicability to your situation should be verified with official sources.

06Do you want a second passport for your entire family affordably?

We will arrange São Tomé citizenship for a family of up to four persons in one affordable package for approximately $100,000, entirely remotely - so your entire family obtains a second passport without overpaying for each person individually.

About the author

Sergey Evdokimov

Author: Sergey Evdokimov

Managing Partner, BRIDGES

As Founder and Managing Partner of BRIDGES, I am responsible for the firm's strategy and personally lead its most complex client matters, including cases in which citizenship or residence decisions require a strategic view and consideration of capital.

I begin by defining the objective: the outcome the client needs, the facts that affect the choice, and the matters that require further review. I then establish the available directions, the sequence of work, and the key decision points.

Once the strategy has been agreed, I oversee the BRIDGES team's key decisions and remain involved at the stages that shape the course of the matter. The purpose is to give the client a clear rationale for the chosen direction and a precise understanding of the next steps.

Prepared on the basis of BRIDGES practice and reviewed by a subject-matter expert.

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Anna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGES
Anna Kovalevskaya, Head of Legal, BRIDGES

Names and certain details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. The result described reflects one specific situation and is neither a public offer nor a guarantee of a similar outcome. Programme terms are stated as of 2026 and may change - please confirm current parameters with a BRIDGES consultant.