Finding a serious relationship on the São Tomé and Príncipe archipelago

Two islands, one capital and one official language

The archipelago brings together the island of São Tomé, home to the capital of the same name, and the island of Príncipe. Portuguese is the official language. The small population means social circles quickly overlap, which calls for discretion.

Marriage law: official sources are silent

The archipelago is not covered by the World Bank's 2022 regional profile, and its country snapshot could not be found. The legal age of marriage, polygamy and the procedures for a foreign spouse are therefore not verified here.

Washington refers to its general advice

The US page on the archipelago contains no section specific to marriage: it simply refers to the State Department's general information. That information points out that US consulates do not perform marriages and that documents must be translated and authenticated.

Marrying in São Tomé when you come from Europe

A French national in principle applies for a certificate of capacity to marry at the relevant consulate, followed by transcription. The Santomean rules are not published in our sources. The route for a straight couple is detailed on our man-woman dating page.

Divorce and remarriage: unverified information

Without a World Bank snapshot, we cannot state anything about equality in divorce or remarriage. Separated people will find practical, cautious advice on the page for divorcees on the archipelago.

Same-sex relations: legal according to two governments

London states that sexual relations between people of the same sex are legal, and Washington that no legal restriction applies to them. The US Department of State adds that no law protects against discrimination. Read our page for gay men and lesbians.

A pension at 62 from the INSS

According to the SSA's 2019 directory, the old-age pension is paid at 62, with at least 180 months of contributions and 240 months of coverage. Women can retire at 57. Retirees should consult the seniors page.

Online scams: rare but not absent

The US Department of State considers these scams uncommon on the archipelago, while citing fake American soldiers and fake inheritance or lottery notices. In the United States, the IC3 recorded 23,159 romance scam complaints in 2025.

US Level 2 advisory for health reasons

On 4 September 2026, Washington placed São Tomé and Príncipe at Level 2, which calls for increased caution owing to health risks. A traveller joining a partner should take out health insurance and check the official advice before departure.

Dating apps usable on the archipelago

No Santomean platform has been verified, and the share of internet users remains unknown: the DataReportal 2026 report could not be read. The global apps Tinder and Bumble require users to be at least 18, and Taimi is aimed at LGBTQ+ adults.

Santomeans in Portugal and elsewhere

Part of the diaspora lives in Portugal, and couples form at a distance between Lisbon and the archipelago. Plan a video call early, then a visit. Relationships with a European partner are covered in our Africa-Europe guide.

Gabon, the mainland neighbour

Gabon is one of the archipelago's neighbours in the Gulf of Guinea. If your partner lives in Gabon, its family law and retirement rules differ from those of the archipelago: consult our page on dating in Gabon for a reliable overview.

Official sources and apps for the archipelago

• Département d'État, São Tomé-et-Príncipe: US advisory on scams, same-sex relations and the archipelago's health alert level.
• Foreign Office britannique, sécurité à São Tomé: British advice on safety and society's attitude towards relationships between people of the same sex.
• Instituto Nacional de Segurança Social: Santomean old-age pension body, presented in the SSA's international directory.
• Tinder: Global app open to adults, available according to the publisher in more than 190 countries and 40 languages.
• Bumble: App requiring users to be at least 18, or the local age of majority if higher.

Getting a relationship off to a good start in São Tomé and Príncipe

1. Check that the person you meet is an adult and that your expectations are compatible.
2. Chat first on the app's messaging system, without giving your address or bank details.
3. Arrange a video call to confirm your contact's identity before any trip.
4. Read the US health advisory and take out health insurance before joining someone on the archipelago.
5. Set the first date in a public place in São Tomé city and let someone close know.
6. Consult a local lawyer before any marriage plans, as no rules are published in our sources.

What is known and unknown about São Tomé and Príncipe

Documents to plan for a life together

• Valid passport for each partner
• Recent birth certificate, translated into Portuguese if necessary
• Certificate of capacity to marry for a French national
• Divorce judgment or death certificate in the case of a previous union
• Health insurance certificate for the trip

Mistakes to avoid on the archipelago

• Believing a scam is impossible because it is rare locally, when the fraudster may be anywhere else in the world.
• Sending money for a fake inheritance, a lottery or the fees of a supposed American soldier.
• Organising a wedding on the archipelago without checking the Santomean rules, which are not published in our sources.
• Setting off to join a partner on the archipelago without health insurance, despite the US Level 2 health advisory issued in September 2026.
• Sharing intimate photos with someone met online and never seen in real life.

Information up to date as of October 2026. AfriqueRencontres.com does not arrange meetings and never asks for money: never transfer money to someone you know only online.