Praia: what to see and whether to move there

Is it worth moving to Praia in 2026

Praia is the capital of Cabo Verde on Santiago island, a calm oceanside city with Portuguese, a currency firmly pegged to the euro and one of Africa's most stable democracies. Remote workers on a special visa, pensioners and home buyers move here, and a purchase from €120,000 gives permanent residence. Life is cheaper than in Europe, but the choice of goods and services is modest and much is imported from the mainland.

What it costs to live in Praia

Prices come from two independent 2026 price databases. The escudo is pegged to the euro at 110.265 escudos per euro, converted to dollars at the European Central Bank rate of 5 October 2026. A square metre of a flat in the centre costs about $1,350. Electricity is expensive, so utilities are noticeable in the budget.

Where to live in Praia: districts

• Palmarejo - a modern district with new buildings, restaurants and supermarkets, popular with foreigners.
• Prainha - the embassy district by a small beach, quiet and expensive.
• Plateau - the historic centre on the hill with the market, banks and government offices.
• Achada Santo António - a residential district between the centre and Palmarejo.
• Cidade Velha - the islands' oldest town, UNESCO-listed, 15 km from the capital, for those who want quiet.

Entry, nomad visa and residence

Citizens of Russia, the European Union, the UK, the US and Canada enter visa-free: online pre-registration in the government system and an airport security fee of about $35 are required. For stays of up to a year there is a visa for remote workers and the self-employed: up to 6 months, renewable for another 6, requiring an average account balance of €1,500 over six months, about $1,690, or €2,700, about $3,030, for a family, and foreign income is not taxed under it. Buying a second home from €120,000 on Santiago, São Vicente, Sal and Boa Vista, or from €80,000 on smaller islands, gives permanent residence. More on the Cabo Verde digital nomad visa page.

Taxes in Cabo Verde

Residents pay tax on worldwide income at 16.5%, 23.1% and 27.5%, with the first 220,000 escudos of net income a year tax-free. A special regime applies to new residents for 7 years. Dividends and interest are taxed at 10%, capital gains at 1%, corporate tax has been cut to 20%, and VAT is 15%. More on the Taxes in Cabo Verde page.

Buying property

Property prices are usually quoted in euros. On purchase a transfer tax of about 1.5% of the price is paid at the notary, plus registration and the buyer's lawyer, and owners pay a 0.1% annual property tax. Before buying, title, debts and building permits are checked in the registry, especially for new builds. In Praia homes are bought to live in and to rent to embassy and company staff, while resort flats are more often bought on Sal and Boa Vista.

Work and business

The economy rests on tourism, services and remittances, and local salaries are low, about $210-310 a month, so newcomers usually work remotely for foreign clients or start their own business. Companies pay 20% corporate tax, with incentives for tourism and other priority projects. A bank account is opened with a passport and tax number, and euro transfers carry no currency risk thanks to the fixed rate.

Citizenship

Under the 2023 nationality law, a Cabo Verde passport is granted after 5 years of legal residence without a language exam, and it is residence-permit time that counts. So those thinking about a passport should obtain a residence permit straight away rather than living on tourist entries or the nomad visa.

Climate and everyday life

The climate is dry and warm all year, about 24-30 degrees, with rare rain mainly from August to October and dusty Saharan wind in winter. The language is Portuguese, Creole is spoken day to day, and not everyone speaks English. People get around by taxi and minibus, and local airlines and ferries link the islands. Healthcare means the public hospital and private clinics, and complex treatment is usually obtained in Portugal.

Cabo Verde or other countries with a nomad visa

Cabo Verde is one of the most accessible options in terms of income requirements, and its proximity to Europe and the escudo's euro peg make life easier for those working for European clients.

Pitfalls

• Expensive electricity and water interruptions in some districts.
• A modest choice of goods and medical care, much of it imported.
• Without Portuguese, paperwork and daily life are harder.
• Flights to Europe mostly go via Lisbon.
• The nomad visa does not count towards the citizenship period.

Murblz specialists obtain the remote worker visa or permanent residence through a home purchase and support the transaction.