Sao Tome and Principe
Last update 28 August 2023Diplomatic missions
Risk index
Level 3: Increased level of risk (recommendation not to travel in certain areas of the country unless necessary)
3
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Sao Tome and Principe
We call on Bulgarian citizens to refrain from travelling!
Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
The Republic of Bulgaria does not have a functioning embassy in Sao Tome. Bulgarian citizens residing in Sao Tome on a short or long-term basis may address consular matters to the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in Abuja, Nigeria
Address: 10 Euphrates Crescent, Maitama, Abuja
Telephone: +234 9038600017;+234 8033078578
Emergency only out-of-hours hotline: +234 903 000 0275
Working hours: 09:00 – 17:30
Opening hours of the Consular Office: 09:00 – 12:00
Е-mail of the Embassy: [email protected]
E-mail of the Consular Office: [email protected]
Website: www.mfa.bg/embassies/nigeria
There is no Embassy of Sao Tome and Principe that is accredited to Bulgaria.
General information
Security level:
The situation around the tourist sites is generally calm. Compared to other countries in the region, the number of crime and pickpocketing is not particularly high.
Avoid travelling at night. Carrying a copy of your ID and little money is recommended.
Healthcare:
Low level of healthcare.
Recommended vaccines and personal hygiene advice:
Immunization against yellow fever is mandatory.
Specifics of the local legislation:
It is prohibited to photograph military sites and sites of strategic importance, as well as administrative buildings.
Customs requirements:
In the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, you can bring in unlimited amounts of local and foreign currency, but it must be declared. You can import goods for personal use duty-free.
The import of alcohol is prohibited.
There are no restrictions on the export of goods from the country, nor on currency, and currency above the equivalent of EUR 10,000 must be declared.
Road traffic:
Public transport, taxis and rental cars are used.
Practical advice:
Be careful when eating fruit and vegetables — after washing them, do not eat them immediately, but leave them in sunlight for 10—15 minutes.
Water should be boiled or bought bottled.
Although there are no relevant prohibitions in legislation, traditional society in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe stereotypes the display of sexual orientation.
Local currency:
The local currency in the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe is the Dobra (STD).
Carrying US dollars is recommended. Bank card payment options are very limited.
Travel papers and visas
Bulgarian citizens travelling to Sao Tome (holders of regular, official and diplomatic passports) do not need a visa for stays of up to 14 days.
Competitive service
Certifications and legalizations
Sao Tome is a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents.
In order to be valid in Bulgaria and to be able to serve before the Bulgarian institutions all documents issued by the authorities in Sao Tome to Bulgarian citizens should be endorsed with the Apostille of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sao Tome.
Once the documents have been so prepared, they must be translated into Bulgarian by an authorized translation agency in Bulgaria and the translation must be certified by the Department of Certifications and Legalizations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria.
European Emergency Travel Document
In extreme situations — in case of damage, loss or theft of a passport, Bulgarian citizens can apply for an Emergency Travel Document at an Embassy of an EU Member State in Sao Tome.