Dimension Profile - Italy vs Sao Tome and Principe
Tax Regime Comparison2
🇮🇹ItalyWorldwide/43%
🇸🇹Sao Tome and PrincipeWorldwide/25%
18pp personal tax rate spreadNote
Both countries tax worldwide income, but the top personal income tax rates differ materially. Italy: 43% vs Sao Tome and Principe: 25%. Both apply to all global earnings once you establish residency.
CFC rules apply in one jurisdictionReview
Italy has Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) rules. Owning a foreign company as a resident may trigger local tax on undistributed profits - even if the company pays no dividends. The other country in this comparison does not have CFC rules.
Not tax advice. Tax laws change frequently. Verify with a qualified professional before making residency decisions.
Dimension Breakdown
Tax
Italy: 32+15Sao Tome and Principe: 17
Italy32
Sao Tome and Principe17
FieldItalySao Tome and Principe
Corp Tax Rate27.9%25%
Capital Gains26%0%
Crypto CGT26%0% (same)
Territorial SystemNoNo
IP Box RegimeYesNo
Tax Treaties1003
VAT Rate22%15%
Funding
Italy: 100+60Sao Tome and Principe: 40
Italy100
Sao Tome and Principe40
FieldItalySao Tome and Principe
Gov GrantsYesNo
EU FundingYesNo
Active VCs800
Avg Seed Check$600K-
Visa
Italy: 90+40Sao Tome and Principe: 50
Italy90
Sao Tome and Principe50
FieldItalySao Tome and Principe
Startup VisaYesNo
E-ResidencyNoNo
Digital Nomad VisaYesNo
Path to PR5 yrs0 yrs
Processing Time60d42d
Residency
Italy: 68+12Sao Tome and Principe: 56
Italy68
Sao Tome and Principe56
FieldItalySao Tome and Principe
Citizenship (Naturalization)10 yrs-
Dual CitizenshipYesYes
CBI AvailableYesYes
Immigration Score6/107/10
Tax Res.
Italy: 550Sao Tome and Principe: 55
Italy55
Sao Tome and Principe55
FieldItalySao Tome and Principe
Tax Res Threshold183 days183 days
Worldwide TaxYesYes
Territorial TaxNoNo
Personal Tax Top Rate43%25%
Special RegimeImpatriate Regime (50% income exemption)No
Exit TaxNoNo
Practical
Italy: 83+28Sao Tome and Principe: 55
Italy83
Sao Tome and Principe55
FieldItalySao Tome and Principe
Banking Difficultymoderatevery_difficult
100% Foreign OwnershipYesYes
Formation Days30d30d
Formation Cost$3,300$4,000
Legal Systemcivil_lawcivil_law
Remote
Italy: 64+12Sao Tome and Principe: 52
Italy64
Sao Tome and Principe52
FieldItalySao Tome and Principe
DNV ExistsYesNo
DNV Min Income$2,550/mo-
Internet Speed117 Mbps10 Mbps
Coworking/mo$275-
PE Riskmoderatelow
Family
Italy: 85+15Sao Tome and Principe: 70
Italy85
Sao Tome and Principe70
FieldItalySao Tome and Principe
Safety Index6565
Intl SchoolsYesNo
Healthcare8230
Cost of Living5528
Family Budget/mo$4,400$2,600
Ecosystem
Italy: 65+25Sao Tome and Principe: 40
Italy65
Sao Tome and Principe40
FieldItalySao Tome and Principe
Unicorns90
Talent Pool6510
Avg Dev Salary$52,000/yr-
Coworking Densitymedium-
Gov Pro-Startup7/102/10
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Italy or Sao Tome and Principe better for startup founders?
Italy scores 70/100 overall versus Sao Tome and Principe at 46/100. The best choice depends on your industry, team structure, and personal tax situation. Review the dimension-by-dimension breakdown above to identify which jurisdiction fits your specific priorities.
What are the corporate tax rates in Italy and Sao Tome and Principe?
Italy has a corporate tax score of 32/100 and Sao Tome and Principe scores 17/100. See the Tax Breakdown section above for specific rates and conditions.
Which country has better startup visa options - Italy or Sao Tome and Principe?
Italy scores 90/100 for visa options versus Sao Tome and Principe at 50/100. Check the Visa section for specific programs, processing timelines, and requirements.
How do Italy and Sao Tome and Principe compare for family relocation?
Italy scores 85/100 for family viability versus Sao Tome and Principe at 70/100. Key factors include healthcare quality, international school availability, safety index, and cost of living.
Can I compare Italy and Sao Tome and Principe with other countries?
Yes. Use the interactive comparison tool at NomadSignal to compare up to 4 jurisdictions simultaneously. You can also view each country's full profile for deeper dimension-level analysis.
Data updated Q1 2026. Scores are based on publicly available information and may not reflect recent regulatory changes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Verify all details with a qualified professional before making relocation or incorporation decisions.