Convention on Social Security between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the Portuguese Republic.

This Decree aims to approve and give legal effect to the bilateral Convention on Social Security between the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe and the Portuguese Republic. The decree is grounded in the need to strengthen cooperation between the two States and to ensure coordination of their respective social security systems. Its core objective is to guarantee equal treatment of nationals of both countries in accessing social security benefits, by aligning rules on contributions, eligibility conditions, and entitlement to pensions and allowances. This includes mechanisms such as the totalization of insurance and contribution periods completed under each country’s legislation, thereby allowing individuals who have worked in both jurisdictions to qualify for benefits more easily. More broadly, the decree seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework governing cross-border social protection rights. The Convention, annexed to the decree, regulates key areas such as: health, maternity, unemployment, invalidity, old-age pensions, death benefits, family benefits, and employment injury protection, while ensuring portability of rights and benefits across the two countries. It also defines institutional cooperation mechanisms, rules on applicable legislation for workers in transnational situations, and procedures for coordination between authorities. Ultimately, the decree promotes social protection continuity and legal certainty for workers, their families, and beneficiaries moving between São Tomé and Príncipe and Portugal, supporting labor mobility and safeguarding acquired rights.