São Tomé and Príncipe
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- No restrictions on entry or staying.
Restrictions on entry to São Tomé and Príncipe
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to São Tomé and Príncipe based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, São Tomé and Príncipe does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
Restrictions on short-term stay in São Tomé and Príncipe
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in Sao Tomé and Príncipe based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Sao Tomé and Príncipe does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
The official e-visa website of Sao Tomé and Príncipe does not specify entry requirements beyond a valid passport and a return ticket.
Restrictions on long-term stay in São Tomé and Príncipe
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on long-term stay in Sao Tomé and Príncipe based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Sao Tomé and Príncipe does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay.
Law 5/2008 The Legal Regime for Foreigners (Lei 5/2008 O Regime Jurídico dos Estrangeiros) states that public health considerations constitute a reason to reject a residence permit or to cancel or reject the renewal request for residence, however, this is only applied to diseases defined in relevant instruments of the World Health Organization.
Treatment access in São Tomé and Príncipe
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in São Tomé and Príncipe. There is some evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
Healthcare access in São Tomé and Príncipe for visitors is available but limited, with facilities providing only basic services. There is one main hospital, Hospital Central Ayres de Menezes, in São Tomé providing providing HIV treatment, including antiretroviral therapy and basic HIV-related healthcare services. Additionally, there may be some support from local clinics in collaboration with international organisations to provide HIV care, counselling, and support services. However, access to specialised HIV care is limited, and patients with specific treatment may need to seek care abroad or through partnerships with international health agencies.
Foreign nationals, particularly those with chronic conditions or requiring special medications, are advised to bring their prescriptions, as many medicines are not readily available locally. Foreign visitors typically need to cover medical costs out-of-pocket, making it essential to have travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation if necessary.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the São Tomé and Príncipe page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | N/A |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | N/A |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | N/A |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
