1. Cash in Euros (The Only Foolproof Option)
Bring physical Euro banknotes with you in your hand luggage. Having the exact amount (25 euros per person) in cash is by far the fastest and most reliable way through the desk.
Plan Your Trip › On the Ground
The São Tomé & Príncipe Tourist Tax:Airport Entry Rules
What you pay on arrival, why you should never rely on card payments at the terminal, how to pay in advance, and what changed with hotel billing.
- 25 euros per adult on arrival in São Tomé
- 10 euros per adult on arrival on Príncipe
- Bring cash: do not rely on airport card machines
- Paid once at entry: no daily hotel taxes at check-out
Section 1 · The current rules
How the Tourism Tax Works
The government of São Tomé and Príncipe charges a flat tourism entry tax for all non-resident international visitors aged 12 and older.
The tax is collected upon arrival before you clear the immigration desks:
São Tomé Island
25 euros
per person
Príncipe Island
10 euros
per person
This is a one-time entry fee. Once paid, you do not pay any nightly tourist tax at your hotel, roça, or guesthouse.
Section 2 · Payment reality and warnings
How to Pay: Why You Should Not Rely on Card Payments
While the tourism ministry officially lists three payment options (cash, card terminal, and online QR code), the physical reality inside the arrivals hall is very different.
2. Do Not Plan to Pay by Card
While there is a card terminal (POS) at the counter, do not rely on it. Cellular data and banking connections at the airport regularly drop out, especially when an entire international flight disembarks at once. If the card reader loses signal or declines foreign cards, you will be stuck at the back of the queue until the network recovers or you find cash.
3. Paying by QR Code in Advance
The government portal includes an online payment gateway (developed in partnership with GTI Bank) accessible via QR code.
- Yes, you can pay in advance: If you want to use the online system, complete the payment before you board your flight to São Tomé.
- Download your receipt offline: Save the payment confirmation and QR receipt directly to your phone's photo library or files, or print a paper copy.
- Do not wait to pay on arrival: You cannot rely on public Wi-Fi at São Tomé airport.
Section 3 · The airport Wi-Fi reality
What to Expect from Airport Wi-Fi
Do not assume you can step off the plane, connect to airport Wi-Fi, and complete your payment on your phone.
Wi-Fi is Unreliable: Public Wi-Fi inside the São Tomé arrivals hall is either completely unavailable or immediately buckles under the load of 150 passengers trying to connect simultaneously.
No Local Data Yet: You will not have access to local mobile data until you clear immigration, collect your luggage, and purchase a local SIM card in the public arrivals area.
The Rule: If you haven't completed the online payment before leaving home, keep physical Euro cash in your pocket.
Section 4 · What changed with hotels
Hotels No Longer Collect Tourist Tax
In previous years, visitors were charged a daily tourist tax of approximately 2.10 to 3.00 euros (75 Dobras) per person, per night, added to their bill at hotel check-out.
This daily lodging tax has been officially abolished. Accommodation providers across the country no longer collect tourist taxes directly from guests. If a hotel or guesthouse mistakenly includes a daily tourist levy on your checkout invoice, remind them that the tax is now paid exclusively as a one-time airport entry fee.
Section 5 · Exemptions
Who Is Exempt from the Entry Tax?
You are legally exempt from paying the tourism tax if you meet any of the following criteria:
- Children Under 12: Children aged 11 and younger do not pay.
- São Toméan Citizens: Holders of a São Tomé and Príncipe national passport.
- Legal Residents: Foreign citizens holding a valid São Tomé residence permit.
- Transit Passengers: Travelers with connecting flights under six hours who remain within the international transit area.
Section 6 · Arrival summary checklist
Arrival Day Checklist
- Keep 25 euros cash per person in your carry-on bag (not in checked luggage).
- If you paid online via the official QR portal, have the digital receipt saved offline on your phone or printed on paper.
- Keep the paper receipt handed to you at the airport desk alongside your passport throughout your stay.
- If flying onward to Príncipe during your holiday, be prepared to pay the regional 10 euro fee upon arrival at Príncipe Airport.
Want the arrival side arranged before you fly? Read the São Tomé airport guide, check the visa rules and the cash and currency advice for the rest of your first hour on the island.