Cabo Verde: all programs

Cabo Verde in brief

Cabo Verde is an archipelago of ten islands in the Atlantic about 570 km off the coast of Senegal, home to about half a million people. The capital is Praia on the island of Santiago. The official language is Portuguese, and the local Creole is spoken day to day. The escudo is firmly pegged to the euro at 110.265 escudos per euro, and the country is regarded as one of Africa's most stable democracies, with peaceful transfers of power at elections.

The islands suit remote workers, retirees and buyers of ocean-side homes who value a mild climate all year, modest prices, a four-hour flight to Lisbon and a clear path to permanent residence through a property purchase.

The islands and where to live

• Santiago - the most populous island with the capital Praia, ministries, banks and embassies. More in the Praia guide.
• Sal - resorts, beaches, kitesurfing and the main international airport.
• Boa Vista - long empty beaches and hotels, quieter than Sal.
• São Vicente - the town of Mindelo with music, carnival and cultural life.
• Santo Antão and Fogo - mountains, trails and an active volcano for those seeking nature and quiet.

How to move in 2026

• Remote worker visa - for 6 months, renewable for another 6; you need an average bank balance over the last 6 months of €1,500, about $1,700, for a single applicant and €2,700, about $3,100, for a family. The fee is about $55 per person. Details are on the page Cabo Verde digital nomad visa.
• Permanent residence through property - when buying a home from €120,000, about $134,600, or from €80,000, about $89,700, in less developed municipalities.
• Work and business - a residence permit under an employment contract or for the owner of a local company.
• Retirees - a residence permit with proven regular income from abroad.

We handle documents, Portuguese translations and filing end to end.

Citizenship

Under the 2023 citizenship law, a Cabo Verde passport can be obtained after 5 years of legal residence without a language exam. Time on a residence permit counts, not tourist visits. Dual citizenship is allowed. The passport gives visa-free entry to the countries of the Economic Community of West African States.

Taxes

You become a tax resident after 183 days in any 12 months. Resident income tax runs on a scale from 16.5% to 27.5%, corporate tax was cut from 21% to 20% on 1 January 2026, and VAT is 15%. Dividends are taxed at 10%, and capital gains on property and shares at 1%. Someone who has not been resident in the previous five years can request the new resident regime: salary and income from high value-added activities are taxed at 10%. Details are on the page taxes in Cabo Verde.

Property

Foreigners buy homes without restrictions; a notary handles the deal and the title is registered. A 1% transfer tax is paid on purchase, followed by an annual ownership tax of 0.1% of the assessed value, or 0.15% for land. Foreigners buy mostly on Sal and Boa Vista, where flats in resort complexes are let to tourists, and in Praia to live. We source and check properties on the page property in Cabo Verde.

Cost of living

• Rent in Praia - a one-bedroom flat in the centre costs about $510-580 a month, outside the centre about $280-290.
• Utilities - about $190 a month for an 85 m² flat; electricity is expensive.
• Internet - about $52 a month.
• Groceries - much is shipped from the mainland, so imports cost more than in Portugal, while fish and local fruit are cheap.
• Inter-island travel - a local airline and ferries; check schedules in advance.

Business and accounts

Companies are registered through a one-stop shop, and most sectors are open to foreigners. Banks follow Portuguese standards and check the source of funds, so it is convenient to open an account before buying a home. We help with a personal account and a business account.

Connectivity and remote work

The larger islands have 4G mobile internet, and fibre is available in Praia, Mindelo and the resorts of Sal. An undersea cable between Europe and Brazil lands in Cabo Verde, so connections are more stable than in many West African countries. For remote work the most convenient places are Praia, Mindelo and Santa Maria on Sal, with coworking spaces, cafés with good internet and backup power in hotels.

Family and schools

Schools teach in Portuguese; Praia and Mindelo have a few private bilingual schools, but international schools with an English curriculum are scarce, so some families combine a local school with online learning. Universities teach in Portuguese. Children can enjoy beaches, sailing, surfing and hiking in the mountains of Santo Antão.

Practicalities

• Entry. Citizens of Russia, the European Union, the UK, the US and Canada enter visa-free after online pre-registration and paying the airport security fee of about $35. Since 1 January 2026 citizens of 91 countries must obtain a visa in advance, including for transit.
• Climate. Dry and warm all year, about +22 to +30; rain falls mostly from August to October, and winter can bring Saharan dust.
• Healthcare. There are hospitals in Praia and Mindelo; complex cases fly to Portugal, so insurance with evacuation is needed.
• Safety. Calm, but in Praia it is better to take a taxi at night.

Who Cabo Verde suits

Pros: a warm climate without extreme heat, a stable euro-pegged currency, low living costs, permanent residence through a home purchase from €80,000 and citizenship after 5 years. Cons: a small market, expensive imports and electricity, limited healthcare and inter-island travel. Cabo Verde suits remote workers, retirees and buyers of resort property. Write in the chat and we will choose an island and status and work out the moving budget.