While this detailed COVID-19 information is updated regularly, the COVID-19 requirements for entering and travelling in São Tomé and Principe are subject to change, as with most countries around the world. We advise you check your requirements thoroughly just before travel.
If you would like assistance with any COVID-19-related travel requirements or have questions, please contact our Concierge Team. We’re here to help make your travels a breeze!
Updated 3 May 2022 and valid until 31st May 2022:
Fully vaccinated travellers*: proof of vaccination is required upon arrival for entry into São Tomé and Príncipe. Children aged 11 and under do not require an antigen test or proof of vaccination for entry. The list of recognised vaccinations is as follows:
• Moderna. mRNA-1273.
• Pfizer/BioNTech. BNT162b2.
• Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) Ad26.COV2.S.
• Oxford/AstraZeneca. AZD1222.
• Serum Institute of India. Covishield (Oxford/AstraZeneca formulation)
• Sinopharm (Beijing) BBIBP-CorV (Vero Cells)
• Sinovac. CoronaVac
*”Fully-vaccinated” is currently defined as having completed an entire vaccination programme, for example one dose of Johnson & Johnson, or two doses of Pfizer. A booster is advised but currently not required.
Unvaccinated travellers: A negative antigen test taken a maximum of 48 hours before arrival in São Tomé and Príncipe is required for entry into the country. If the test result has not been received by the time of departure, travel must be postponed. An antigen test is only applicable for children aged 12 and up; it is not applicable for those aged 0-11. It is recommended to travel with at least one printed copy of your test result, in addition to a digital version.
Updated 3 May 2022 and valid until 31st May 2022: When flying between the islands, neither proof of vaccination or an antigen test is required.
Departing guests may be required to take either a PCR or an antigen test to conform with the arrival requirements of the country they are travelling to. The nature of the test (PCR or antigen) is determined by the requirements of the country of arrival and it is the responsibility of the guest to check what the arrival country requires. Currently, PCR tests can only be carried out in the city of São Tomé (not on Príncipe Island). 24 hours (and therefore one night at Omali) is always required for these tests in case of bad weather and/or other delays.
If a PCR test is required:
Where? PCR tests are carried out in the city of São Tomé at the ADX Central Services lab by a qualified medical practitioner, or at Omali.
When? Within 72 hours before international departure. Depending on the departure time of the international flight, a one-or-two-night stay may be required at Omali. Please refer to our testing timetable for details.
How? It is the responsibility of the guest to book this PCR test on the website: www.adxcentralservices.com or by phone (+239 9933787). The PCR test costs €110 for international passport holders and can be paid directly to the test centre in cash or using a credit card. Then, once the test has been booked, guests should advise Omali to phone and confirm 24 hours prior to the test date and time to confirm all is in order. To book a test at Omali, all details must be given to reception to book with a 24-hour advance warning. The test at Omali is only payable in cash (€130).
Transport: HBD Príncipe is not able to provide transfers to ADX but are on hand to book taxis. These taxis cost approximately €5 per way and should be paid for in cash to the taxi driver.
If an antigen test is required:
Where? Antigen tests are either carried out privately at Omali by a qualified medical practitioner or at the local ARS Medica Clinic.
When? Within 48 hours before international departure. Depending on the departure time of the international flight, a one-or-two-night stay may be required at Omali. Please refer to our testing timetable for details.
How? HBD Príncipe will pre-book the antigen test when advised. A private antigen test costs €21 (for a private test at Omali), or €15 for a test at the ARS Medica Clinic. These costs will be billed to the room account at Omali.
Transport: No transport is required if the nurse comes to Omali. For tests at ARS, Omali will be on hand to book taxis. These taxis cost approximately €5 per way, and should be paid for in cash.
Please use the below timetable as a reference for testing timings according to your flight departure time and day. It is always advised to have any test (PCR or antigen) in the morning to maximise time and avoid potential delays.
Airline | Flight dep. day | PCR test day | Antigen test day | Result | Notes | |
Departure testing for international flights | STP Airways Lisbon | Saturday: Dep 07h00 | Thursday: Morning | Thursday: Morning | Friday | 2 x nights required at Omali due to early flight on Saturday |
TAP Portugal Accra | Lisbon | Saturday: Dep 20h40 | Friday: Morning | Friday: Morning | Saturday | ||
Sunday: Dep 20h40 | Saturday: Morning | Saturday: Morning | Sunday | |||
Wednesday: Dep 20h40 | Tuesday: Morning | Tuesday: Morning | 2 x nights required at Omali as no inter-island flight on Tuesday | |||
Afrijet Libreville | Thursday: Dep 14h30 | Wednesday: Morning | Wednesday: Morning | Thursday | ||
Sunday: Dep 10h45 | Saturday: Morning | Saturday: Morning | Sunday | |||
Local flights | STP Airways (to Príncipe) | Every day, EXCL Tues, Dep 09h00 | Not required | 24 hours before | Same day | Antigen test is only required if proof of STP Airways vaccination is not available |
STP Airways (to São Tomé) | Every day, EXCL Tues, Dep 10h20 | Not required | 24 hours before (07h30-09h30) | Same day |
Test | Location | Timings | Costs | Results delivered | Payment | Transport |
São Tomé | ||||||
PCR | Omali OR ADX Central Services adxcentralservices.com Tel: +239 9933787 |
Mon-Sat: 08h00-17h00 |
Nationals: €60
International: €110 Out of hours (on request): €200 At Omali: |
Emailed in 12 hours or collected in person. | Cash or credit card at the test center (preferable to paying online). At Omali, cash must be used (Euros). | Omali is not able to provide transfers to and from the testing site. Instead, Omali will gladly help arrange taxis to and from the site. These taxis must be paid for in cash (€) to the taxi driver. |
Antigen | Omali OR ARS Medical Clinic arsmedica.clinica@gmail.com | Mon-Fri: 08h00-17h00
Sat: 08h00-12h00 Sat afternoon/Sun: On request |
At the clinic: 350 Dobras / €15
Out of hours & Saturday: 500 Dobras / €21 At Omali: 500 Dobras / €21 Late requests: 1000 Dobras / €40 |
Emailed in 2 hours. | Only in cash directly to the clinic or nurse. | |
Príncipe | ||||||
Antigen | Hospital Manuel Quaresma Dias de Graça | 07h30-09h30 Results after 10h00 |
50 Dobras / €2 | Available within 30 minutes of the test being carried out. Guests do not have to wait; results may be collected by HBD later in the day. | Payment should be made through HBD Príncipe, 24 hours in advance; cash is not accepted at the clinic. | Free of charge, provided by HBD Príncipe. |