Langzeit-Expat-Leitfaden in Cape Verde

Cape Verde offers various pathways for foreigners seeking to enter and reside in the country, ranging from short-term tourist stays to long-term residency and eventual citizenship. The official authority for immigration matters is the Direção Geral de Imigração (DGI).

• Visa-free entry and tourist stay limits for major passport holders:

  • Citizens of the European Union (EU), United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and many other countries are generally exempt from requiring a visa for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period. However, all visa-exempt foreign nationals are required to pre-register online through the EASE (Efficient, Automatic and Safe Entry) platform at least five days before travel. A security fee (Taxa de Segurança Aeroportuária - TSA) of approximately 3,400 CVE (around 31 EUR / 34 USD as of May 2026) is payable during this registration. Failure to pre-register may result in delays or refusal of entry.
  • For stays exceeding 90 days, a visa or residency permit is required.

• Temporary residency tracks:

  • Work Visa/Permit: Foreigners intending to work in Cape Verde must first secure a job offer from a Cape Verdean employer. The employer typically initiates the work permit application process with the Ministry of Labour and Solidarity (Ministério do Trabalho e da Solidariedade Social) and the DGI. Once approved, the individual can apply for a work visa at a Cape Verdean embassy or consulate abroad. This visa allows entry to Cape Verde, after which a residency permit (Autorização de Residência) linked to employment must be obtained from the DGI. Required documents usually include a valid passport, job contract, employer's declaration, police clearance certificate, and proof of financial means.
  • Study Visa: Students accepted into a recognized educational institution in Cape Verde can apply for a study visa. This requires proof of enrollment, financial means to cover tuition and living expenses, and a valid passport. Upon arrival, a student residency permit must be obtained.
  • Family Reunion Visa: Spouses, minor children, and dependent parents of a Cape Verdean citizen or a foreign resident can apply for a family reunion visa. This requires proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate), the sponsor's residency status, and financial capacity.
  • Investment Visa: Cape Verde offers various investment-based residency programs, though not as formalized as some 'Golden Visa' schemes in other countries. Significant investments in real estate, businesses, or government bonds can facilitate obtaining a residency permit. Specific requirements vary based on the nature and scale of the investment, and professional legal advice is highly recommended.
  • Digital Nomad or Remote Worker Visa Programmes (Remote Working Program): Cape Verde launched its 'Remote Working Program' in late 2020, which remains active and popular as of May 2026. This program targets digital nomads and remote workers earning income from outside Cape Verde. Key requirements include:
    • Proof of employment or business ownership outside Cape Verde.
    • Minimum monthly income of approximately 1,500 EUR (around 165,000 CVE as of May 2026) for individuals, with an additional 250 EUR per dependent.
    • Valid travel insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation.
    • Clean criminal record.
    • Valid passport.
    • The visa is typically granted for an initial period of six months to one year, renewable.
    • Applications are submitted online or through Cape Verdean embassies/consulates.

• Permanent Residency:

  • Eligibility: Generally, foreigners can apply for permanent residency (Autorização de Residência Permanente) after residing legally in Cape Verde for a continuous period, typically five years, under a temporary residency permit. This requires demonstrating stable financial means, good conduct, and integration into Cape Verdean society.
  • Timeline and Process: The application is submitted to the DGI. It involves providing proof of continuous legal residency, financial stability, a clean criminal record, and other supporting documents. The processing time can vary from several months to over a year.

• Citizenship:

  • Requirements: Foreigners can apply for Cape Verdean citizenship by naturalization after a minimum of five years of continuous legal residency. Requirements include demonstrating good moral character, sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language (the official language), and integration into Cape Verdean society. Marriage to a Cape Verdean citizen can shorten the residency requirement.
  • Timeline: The naturalization process can be lengthy, often taking several years after the application is submitted.

• Application process: where to apply, documentation, fees, timelines:

  • Where to apply: Initial visa applications are typically made at a Cape Verdean embassy or consulate in the applicant's home country or country of legal residence. For those eligible for visa-free entry, the EASE platform is the first step. Once in Cape Verde, all residency permit applications and renewals are handled by the Direção Geral de Imigração (DGI) offices, usually located in major cities like Praia or Mindelo.
  • Documentation: Common documents include a valid passport (with at least six months validity), passport-sized photos, application forms, proof of financial means, police clearance certificates, medical certificates, proof of accommodation, and specific documents related to the visa category (e.g., job contract, university acceptance letter, marriage certificate).
  • Fees: Visa and residency permit fees vary significantly by category and nationality. For example, a temporary residency permit might cost around 10,000-20,000 CVE (approx. 90-180 EUR / 100-200 USD as of May 2026), plus administrative charges. It is crucial to check the most current fee schedule on the DGI website or with the relevant embassy/consulate.
  • Timelines: Processing times can range from a few weeks for initial visas to several months for residency permits. It is advisable to apply well in advance of intended travel or expiry dates.

• Renewal procedures: Temporary residency permits are typically issued for one year and are renewable. The renewal application must be submitted to the DGI before the current permit expires. Required documents are similar to the initial application, often including updated proof of financial means, employment, or study status, and a clean criminal record.

• Common pitfalls and refusal reasons:

  • Incomplete documentation: This is the most common reason for delays or refusal. Ensure all required documents are translated into Portuguese by a certified translator if necessary.
  • Insufficient financial means: Applicants must demonstrate adequate funds to support themselves and any dependents.
  • Criminal record: A history of serious criminal offenses can lead to refusal.
  • Overstaying a visa: Overstaying a tourist visa or residency permit can lead to fines, deportation, and future entry bans.
  • Lack of genuine intent: Immigration authorities may refuse applications if they suspect the applicant's stated purpose of stay is not genuine.
  • Failure to pre-register (EASE): For visa-exempt nationals, not completing the EASE pre-registration can lead to denial of boarding or entry upon arrival.

It is highly recommended to consult with the official Direção Geral de Imigração (DGI) website or a Cape Verdean embassy/consulate for the most up-to-date and specific requirements, or engage a local immigration lawyer for complex cases.

Understanding tax obligations in Cape Verde is crucial for long-term expats. The primary tax authority is the Direção Nacional de Receitas do Estado (DNRE).

• Tax residency rules: A foreigner generally becomes a tax resident in Cape Verde if they spend more than 183 days in the country within any 12-month period, whether consecutive or not. Tax residency can also be established if Cape Verde is considered their 'centre of vital interests' (e.g., family, primary economic activities) or if they have a permanent home available to them in Cape Verde. Tax residents are subject to income tax on their worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed only on income sourced within Cape Verde.

• Income tax rates and brackets for residents vs non-residents (as of May 2026):

  • Personal Income Tax (Imposto sobre o Rendimento das Pessoas Singulares - IRPS): Cape Verde operates a progressive income tax system.
    • Residents: Tax rates range from 0% to 27%. The specific brackets are subject to annual adjustments, but generally, lower incomes are exempt or taxed at low rates, while higher incomes face the top rate of 27%. For example, annual income up to approximately 100,000 CVE (around 900 EUR / 1,000 USD) might be exempt or taxed at a very low rate, with the 27% rate applying to income exceeding roughly 2,000,000 CVE (around 18,000 EUR / 20,000 USD). These figures are indicative and require verification with the DNRE for current thresholds.
    • Non-residents: Non-residents are typically subject to a flat withholding tax rate on their Cape Verdean-sourced income, which can vary depending on the type of income (e.g., salaries, professional fees, rents). This rate is often 20% or 25% but can differ based on specific income categories and double taxation treaties.

• Double taxation treaties: Cape Verde has a limited but growing network of double taxation treaties (DTTs) designed to prevent individuals and companies from being taxed twice on the same income. Key countries with active treaties include:

  • Portugal
  • Macau
  • Other treaties may be under negotiation or recently ratified. It is essential to check the current status with the DNRE or a tax advisor, as these treaties can significantly impact an expat's tax liability.

• Social security and pension contributions for foreigners:

  • Foreigners working legally in Cape Verde are generally required to contribute to the National Social Security Institute (Instituto Nacional de Previdência Social - INPS). Contributions cover old-age pensions, disability, sickness, maternity, and unemployment benefits.
  • The contribution rates are typically split between the employer and the employee. As of May 2026, the employee contribution rate is generally around 8% of gross salary, while the employer contributes around 15.5%. These rates are subject to change.
  • Expats from countries with social security agreements with Cape Verde may be exempt from contributions or have their contributions recognized in their home country.

• Tax filing requirements, deadlines, and how to file:

  • Filing Requirements: All tax residents with taxable income are required to file an annual income tax return (Declaração de Rendimentos).
  • Deadlines: The deadline for filing personal income tax returns is typically by the end of March or April of the following tax year (e.g., for 2025 income, the deadline would be March/April 2026). Corporate tax deadlines differ.
  • How to file: Tax returns can be filed electronically through the DNRE's online portal or manually at a local tax office. It is advisable to use the online portal for efficiency.

• Tax deductions and allowances available to expats: Tax residents may be eligible for various deductions and allowances, such as those related to education expenses, health expenses, and family dependents. The specifics and limits are defined annually in the tax code. It is crucial to understand these to optimize tax liabilities.

• Property ownership tax for foreigners: Foreigners owning property in Cape Verde are subject to the Municipal Property Tax (Imposto Municipal sobre o Património - IMP). This is an annual tax levied on the taxable value of the property, with rates typically ranging from 0.1% to 0.5% depending on the municipality and type of property. There is also a Property Transfer Tax (Imposto Municipal sobre as Transmissões Onerosas de Imóveis - IMT) payable upon the acquisition of property, usually around 2% to 3% of the property value.

• Capital gains tax: Capital gains derived from the sale of real estate, shares, or other assets are generally subject to capital gains tax. For residents, these gains are typically integrated into their overall income and taxed at the progressive IRPS rates. For non-residents, a specific withholding tax rate (e.g., 5% to 10%) may apply to capital gains from Cape Verdean sources.

• VAT and other indirect taxes affecting daily life:

  • Value Added Tax (Imposto sobre o Valor Acrescentado - IVA): The standard VAT rate in Cape Verde is 15% (as of May 2026). This is applied to most goods and services. Reduced rates or exemptions apply to certain essential goods and services (e.g., some food items, medical services, education).
  • Other indirect taxes: These include excise duties on specific goods like tobacco, alcohol, and fuel, as well as stamp duty on various legal transactions and documents.

• Wealth or net worth taxes: Cape Verde does not currently impose a general wealth or net worth tax.

• When to engage a local tax advisor: It is highly recommended to engage a local tax advisor or accountant, especially upon becoming a tax resident or if you have complex income streams, own property, or operate a business. Cape Verdean tax laws can be intricate, and a local expert can ensure compliance, optimize tax planning, and navigate specific regulations, including those related to double taxation treaties.

• Penalties for non-compliance: Penalties for non-compliance can include fines for late filing, underpayment of taxes, or tax evasion. Interest may also be charged on overdue taxes. Serious offenses can lead to legal prosecution.