São Tomé and Príncipe Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in São Tomé and Príncipe

For the expat or traveler in São Tomé and Príncipe, international health insurance is a must: while the country’s public and private sectors provide basic medical services, the limited care available leaves much to be desired. Most expats seek medical care in other countries.

If you’re moving to São Tomé and Príncipe or simply visiting the country, you’re probably wondering how its healthcare system works and whether securing health insurance is necessary.

This guide will walk you through the best international health insurance plans for expats and travelers alike in São Tomé and Príncipe. We will also outline the country’s healthcare system, provide useful travel tips, and more. Read on to learn more, or click below to obtain a free quote.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Sao Tome

The Healthcare System in São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe’s healthcare system combines public and private sectors, with the public sector run by the General Health Inspection Office within the Ministry of Health. The district level of the public sector offers primary care while the central level provides very limited secondary care.

Public healthcare is offered free to citizens, but it does not cover all medical costs. To receive prescription drugs, diagnostic tests, and more, patients often must give payment at the time of service, with an exception for children under five and pregnant women.

Funding for the public healthcare sector comes through four sources: government expenditure, the public health investment plan, expenditure financed by donors, and revolving fund replenishment. The total expenditure on health for São Tomé and Príncipe is around 9.5% of the country’s GDP.

Private healthcare in the country requires private health insurance or out-of-pocket payment. Funding for private hospitals comes from patients.

Although the healthcare system has improved throughout the years, especially with external help, healthcare services in the country are characterized by inequalities in availability and access. The infrastructure of the healthcare system in the country is also generally poor.

Medical professionals normally have limited training and are sometimes unable to deliver basic healthcare services, and finding Portuguese-speaking medical professionals to fill positions has been difficult. Even more, the country faces shortages of medicine and medical supplies.

São Tomé and Príncipe Public Hospitals

As São Tomé and Príncipe are such small islands, the number of hospitals and medical stations is extremely limited—as is the care available at these facilities.

Hospital Ayres de Menezes is the country’s main public hospital, located in the capital city. Run by the government, the hospital is considered the most advanced hospital in the country and the only facility where patients can receive diagnostic testing or specialized treatment.

To visit the hospital go to 9P4C+PW3, bairro do hospital, São Tomé, São Tomé & Príncipe.

São Tomé and Príncipe Private Hospitals

Those seeking private medical care in São Tomé and Príncipe often travel off the island for care, but individuals can also consider receiving care at Gnóstica Medical Center or Príncipe Hospital.

Gnóstica Medical Center: Clinica de Diagnóstico is located in the city of São Tomé. This private hospital is known for providing quality trauma care to its patients. To visit the hospital, go to 8PVQ+W72, Avenida Marginal 12 Julho, São Tomé, São Tomé & Príncipe or call +239 998 8115.

Príncipe Hospital is located on the smaller African island, Príncipe. To visit the hospital, go to JCVC+X9X, Santo António, São Tomé & Príncipe, or call +239 225 1005.

Health Insurance Options in São Tomé and Príncipe for Expats

International health insurance, particularly a plan with medical evacuation coverage, best serves the needs of expats to São Tomé and Príncipe. Free public healthcare exists for citizens only, and medical care is both low quality and limited, even within the country’s private sector.

Public Insurance in São Tomé and Príncipe for Expats

To qualify for the islands’ public healthcare, you must be a citizen. Despite being free for citizens, public healthcare is limited almost exclusively to primary care: the country lacks qualified medical professionals and sufficient facilities to extend quality treatment.

Private Insurance in São Tomé and Príncipe for Expats

International health insurance is a wise choice for expats in São Tomé and Príncipe as it protects both their health and their finances abroad. Similarly, travel insurance with medical coverage is not mandatory to enter the country, but it is still highly recommended for short-term travelers.

International health insurance is important as it provides expats access to high-quality private healthcare outside the country—a necessity since many treatments aren’t available on the islands. These plans allow you access to many top-tier facilities, clinics, and hospitals around the globe.

Individuals who choose an international insurance plan have the luxury of picking which benefits they need, but some of the common benefits included in an international health insurance plan include:

• Worldwide coverage
• Inpatient and day patient care
• Cancer care
• Mental health care
• Emergency ambulatory services and ER care
• Palliative care
• Home nursing
• Lab work and testing
• Prescription medications
• Emergency dental care
• Rehabilitation

These policies are also generally renewable and offer 24-hour assistance for emergencies. You can also consider add-on benefits for vision, dental, maternity, and preventative care.

Expats visiting São Tomé and Príncipe on vacation or staying for other short-term travel can use a travel insurance policy to protect them from financial risks and losses, whether from lost luggage and canceled flights to emergency medical services.

At Pacific Prime, we partner with some of the world’s top travel insurance companies, like Vumi and IMG Global. Reach out to us, or check out our free plan comparison tool to hear more about top travel insurance plans.

For expats looking to relocate to São Tomé and Príncipe long term, the insurance experts at Pacific Prime can also guide you through the many international insurance plans available free of charge, or keep reading to find some of our top plan suggestions.

Best Private Insurance Providers for Expats in São Tomé and Príncipe

Some of the best private health insurance for expats in São Tomé and Príncipe include Allianz, AXA, Bupa, Cigna, and NOW International. Keep reading below to find out about these fantastic providers.

Allianz

Allianz, one of the largest international health insurance providers, offers expats coverage through three core plans: Allianz Care, Allianz Care Plus, and Allianz Care Pro. All three plans cover inpatient and day-care services, oncology treatment, and medical evacuation.

The annual limit per plan is:

• Care plan: USD $2,500,000
• Care Plus plan: USD $4,000,000
• Care Pro plan: USD $5,00,000

Each tier of coverage offers additional benefits. Beyond the benefits offered in each core Care plan, expats may purchase add-on plans for further coverage, such as an outpatient plan, a dental plan, a repatriation plan, and a maternity plan.

AXA

AXA’s five plans are their Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus plans. These plans include valuable services like 24/7 personal support, claims repayment within 48 hours, second medical opinions, and virtual doctor visits. The plans all offer coverage for:

The Prestige and Prestige Plus plans also cover routine pregnancy care and annual health checks.

The annual limit of each plan is:

• Foundation plan: USD $160,000
• Standard plan: USD $1,600,000
• Comprehensive plan: USD $2,400,000
• Prestige plan: USD $3,200,000
• Prestige Plus plan: USD $8,00,000

Cigna

Cigna’s health insurance plans offer excellent coverage for expats seeking both inpatient and outpatient services through their Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans as well as their Close Care plan. The core benefits shared by these plans are:

Expats have the option to customize their plan for their health and lifestyle needs, with some popular add-on benefits including:

• Dental and vision benefits
• Evacuation and Crisis Assistance Plus™
• Outpatient services
• Health and wellbeing services

The Silver, Gold, and Platinum plan all offer international coverage, while the Close Care plan only offers coverage in São Tomé and Príncipe and the member’s home country as a cost-effective option.

The Silver plan offers an annual limit of USD $1,000,000, with the Gold plan offering an annual limit of USD $2,000,000, and the Platinum plan offering an unlimited annual maximum. The Close Care plan offers an annual limit of USD $500,000.

NOW Health

NOW Health offers its WorldCare plan with four different tiers of coverage while their SimpleCare plan comes with three tiered options for coverage.

Under the SimpleCare plan, annual limits are:

• USD $1,000,000 for the SimpleCare Core tier
• USD $1,500,000 for the SimpleCare 100 tier
• USD $1,500,000 for the SimpleCare 250 tier

Under the WorldCare plan, annual limits are:

• USD $3,000,000 for the Essential tier
• USD $3,500,000 for the Advance tier
• USD $4,000,000 for the Excel tier
• USD $4,500,000 for the Apex tier

Facts to Consider When Picking Insurance in São Tomé and Príncipe

When choosing private health insurance plans, expats should weigh out an insurer's reputation as well as the size of the provider network, direct billing options, and specifics of their health and budget. We’ve listed the main factors to keep in mind below:

Your Budget

Your health history, desired coverage, add-on benefits, and even age and gender all add up toward your plan cost. We’ve defined common terms below which relate to payments in your insurance plan:

• Premiums are the amount you pay each month for health insurance. 
• Deductibles are the amount you pay before your insurance covers costs. 
• Copays are the amount you pay for medical visits, like doctor’s visits. 
• Coinsurance is the coverage percentage you pay once you have met your deductible. 
• The out-of-pocket maximum is the total maximum amount you may pay for health care within a term.

Plan Limits

Coverage limits refer to the maximum amount the insurer will pay for medical expenses, which varies per plan. International health insurance limits usually run annually. Ensure that plan limits align with your healthcare needs, especially if you often receive extensive care.

Range of Benefits

Expats should evaluate which plans provide comprehensive coverage that includes inpatient and outpatient services and preventive care. If necessary, choose a plan with coverage for maternity care, mental health services, and prescription medications.

Exclusions

Most plans have exclusions, such as not providing coverage for pre-existing conditions, specific treatments, or alternative therapies. Review your policy carefully or seek guidance from a trained broker before choosing your plan to avoid covering costs out of pocket.

Prescription Medication

Check if prescription drugs are covered, including any chronic medication you may need. If not, you may need to bring any necessary medications for the duration of your stay in the country.

Insurer Reputation 

Pacific Prime partners with top-tier insurance providers, giving you many trusted companies to pick from on our site. If you look elsewhere, look over ratings and reviews online from current policyholders.

Direct Billing Options

Some providers provide direct billing, which allows expats to receive treatment upfront before payment, alleviating financial stress and streamlining the medical process.

Language Support

Ensure that your chosen insurer provides customer service in a language you are comfortable with. Also ensure that they can communicate with those in São Tomé and Príncipe, where Portuguese is almost exclusively spoken. This will facilitate filing claims and navigating emergencies.

Adventure Support

If you are planning outdoor excursions, verify that your chosen policy covers your chosen activities, from hiking to rock climbing to visiting volcanoes. Ensure the insurer also provides 24/7 emergency assistance for urgent medical emergencies.

Medical Evacuation

Confirm that the plan includes medical evacuation coverage. This is particularly important for expats and travelers in São Tomé and Príncipe. Medical evacuation addresses the costs of transporting you to another location or country for necessary medical care.

Health and Safety Tips for Travelers in São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe is considered a safe place to visit. It is one of the safest countries in Central Africa, with a low crime rate and a reputation for a friendly population. Aside from following standard travel precautions, adhere to the guidelines below for a worry-free trip.

Stay Vaccinated

The CDC suggests that travelers receive routine vaccinations for chickenpox, polio, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, typhoid, hepatitis, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), and other diseases before entering the country.

If you are coming from a country where transferring yellow fever is possible, you must provide certificate verification that you have been vaccinated for yellow fever.

Purchase Travel Insurance

For those who don’t plan to stay long term in São Tomé and Príncipe, consider travel insurance. Travel medical insurance provides coverage for some medical emergencies during your vacation, such as emergency care or repatriation.

Pair travel medical insurance with traditional travel insurance to receive comprehensive coverage against most travel mishaps. Travel insurance usually covers:

• Trip cancellation
• Delayed departure
• Personal belongings
• Lost luggage
• Travel documents
• Personal liability

If travel insurance fits your needs, read more about top insurers in this guide.

Drink Only Sanitary Water

Avoid drinking tap water and stick to bottled water, which is widely available and affordable.

Secure Insurance with Medical Evacuation Coverage

In the case of serious illnesses, emergencies, and less-common medical conditions, patients must travel to countries like Gabon, Portugal, or South Africa for treatments. Given the high costs associated with this, purchase insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation.

Prepare for the Climate

São Tomé and Príncipe is situated on the equator, with a hot, humid climate. Temperatures stay around 27°C and rarely go above 32°C. The temperatures in the mountains are slightly cooler, with a daily temperature of about 20°C. Nights cool down further. Pack appropriate clothing and stay hydrated.

Anticipate the Wet Season

There are primarily two seasons in São Tomé and Príncipe: rainy season and dry season. The rainy season runs between October and May while the dry season runs between June and September. If you’re traveling during the rainy season, make sure you’re aware of wet-season diseases that occur.

Avoid Treacherous Road Travel

Most roads in São Tomé and Príncipe are in poor condition, especially outside the capital. Most roads are also unlit during the night, and it’s not uncommon to find animals on the road. Avoid traveling at night, especially during periods of heavy rainfall, since landslides and mudslides can occur.

Stay Aware of Possible Crime

Crime rates are generally low in São Tomé and Príncipe, but burglaries and armed robberies occur occasionally. Safeguard your valuables and cash, especially when at the beach. Choose a hotel with a safe, and ensure you’ve made copies of all important documents, including your passport.

Please note that the information on this page is not fully comprehensive and is subject to change without prior warning. It is advisable to consult with a local São Tomé and Príncipe embassy should you have any doubts before you depart on your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are healthcare facilities like in São Tomé and Príncipe?

Healthcare facilities on the islands are basic and limited, especially outside the capital. Most doctors and staff speak Portuguese with limited English proficiency.

Do I need private health insurance in São Tomé and Príncipe?

Private health insurance is highly recommended for expats in São Tomé and Príncipe since public healthcare services are so limited. Private insurance gives expats access to better medical facilities across the globe and covers emergencies like medical evacuation.

Does São Tomé and Príncipe have any specific vaccinations or medical requirements?

Visitors are required to show vaccination for yellow fever before they can enter the country. It is also recommended that visitors receive vaccinations for hepatitis A/B, typhoid, and rabies. Check if your insurance covers these vaccinations and medical checkups before departure.

Conclusion: Compare Plans and Quotes Now

Given that São Tomé and Príncipe is a small island country, expats in the country are strongly urged to secure an international health insurance plan that gives flexibility in seeking treatment overseas and medical evacuation if necessary.

As a global health insurance broker with over two decades of experience, Pacific Prime can help you find expat health insurance that caters to foreign nationals in São Tomé and Príncipe. We can also help you secure a range of added benefits from dental to maternity to vision coverage!

Many of our plans are also globally portable and renewable for life, so you’ll always have the coverage you need. Want to go over any specific requirements with our expert advisors? Contact us today for a free quote and insurance consultation.