How can I get paid from abroad in São Tomé?

A global payment account gives you account details in currencies such as USD, EUR or GBP, so clients and marketplaces can pay you locally in their country. You then convert to STN and withdraw.

What does it cost to convert to STN?

Costs are the conversion margin plus any withdrawal fee to your local bank in São Tomé and Príncipe. Compare both, as they vary a lot between providers.

Who regulates international bank accounts & e-wallets in São Tomé?

Providers serving customers in São Tomé and Príncipe fall under Banco Central de São Tomé e Príncipe (BCSTP). Banks and other financial institutions must be licensed by the Banco Central de São Tomé e Príncipe under the financial institutions law, and payment institutions and e-money issuers need BCSTP authorisation. The market is small, with a handful of licensed banks, so verify the licence on the BCSTP's registers before holding dobras with a provider.

Who uses global payment accounts in São Tomé?

Freelancers, remote workers, online sellers and small exporters in São Tomé use them to receive foreign income without opening bank accounts abroad.

São Tomé Digital Bank · International Bank Accounts & e-Wallets · São Tomé and Príncipe

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Eligibility, pricing, and availability vary by provider, residency, and regulation in São Tomé and Príncipe. Confirm the terms directly with each provider before opening an account.

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Local guide

International Bank Accounts & e-Wallets in São Tomé: what to know

Global payment accounts help people in São Tomé, São Tomé and Príncipe get paid by clients, marketplaces and platforms in other countries, then convert the money into STN (Dobra (São Tomé and Príncipe redenominated its currency in 2018, with 1 new dobra = 1,000 old dobras; ISO code STN replaced the old STD)). They are popular with freelancers, online sellers and remote workers in São Tomé.

Currency in São Tomé and Príncipe: STN · Dobra (São Tomé and Príncipe redenominated its currency in 2018, with 1 new dobra = 1,000 old dobras; ISO code STN replaced the old STD)
Regulator in São Tomé and Príncipe: Banco Central de São Tomé e Príncipe (BCSTP)(opens in a new tab)
Local accounts in São Tomé and Príncipe: São Tomé and Príncipe has no separate IBAN: accounts at the small banking sector carry the banks' own numbering, and cross-border transfers quote the SWIFT/BIC.
Payments in São Tomé and Príncipe: Domestic interbank payments settle through the BCSTP's payment arrangements, and cross-border transfers move over SWIFT largely in euros, with Portuguese and regional correspondents playing the leading role given the country's ties to Portugal; card spending rides Visa/Mastercard rails and acceptance is concentrated in São Tomé city. Mobile money and digital payment penetration is limited, so cash and in-branch service remain important alongside banking apps.

Before you sign up in São Tomé

Check which currencies you can receive, the conversion fee to STN (Dobra (São Tomé and Príncipe redenominated its currency in 2018, with 1 new dobra = 1,000 old dobras; ISO code STN replaced the old STD)), and the withdrawal fee to a local account in São Tomé and Príncipe.

Sources: Banco Central de São Tomé e Príncipe · BCSTP: payment systems · IBAN registry: São Tomé and Príncipe structure

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Common questions about international bank accounts & e-wallets in São Tomé

Disclosure: Digital Bank Networks is not a bank. We are an independent comparison platform. Some of the providers on this page are our affiliate partners, and we may receive compensation when you open an account through our links. This does not affect our ratings or rankings, which are based on independent analysis. All information is provided for educational purposes only. Please review each provider's terms and conditions before opening an account.