Cape Verde

Cape Verde Green Card Overview

The Cape Verde Green Card grants permanent residency to foreign nationals who purchase real estate in Cape Verde, with minimum thresholds starting at €80,000 (approx. US$94,000) depending on the location of the property. 

The Green Card is issued as a permanent residence permit, renewable every five years, with no minimum physical presence requirement to maintain it. 

Property may be purchased outright or under a promise of purchase agreement, including properties under construction.

The main applicant can include a spouse and dependent children.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, hold a valid passport, and have a clean criminal record. All funds used to purchase the qualifying property must be transferred from abroad through a Cape Verdean licensed financial institution. 

Two investment thresholds apply depending on the municipality of the property.

Below-Average GDP Municipalities

• Minimum property purchase of €80,000 (approx. US$94,000) in a municipality with a per capita GDP below the national average
• Eligible property types include completed residential or tourist property, and property under construction provided a valid construction contract is submitted

Above-Average GDP Municipalities

• Minimum property purchase of €120,000 (approx. US$142,000) in a municipality with a per capita GDP equal to or above the national average
• Same eligible property types apply

General Conditions (Both Thresholds)

• Valid passport
• Valid entry visa for Cape Verde or valid residence status in the national territory at the time of application
• Clean criminal record certificate from the country of origin, translated into Portuguese and legalized by Cape Verdean consular services; legalization may be replaced by an apostille for nationals of Hague Convention signatory countries
• Cape Verde criminal record certificate
• Medical certificate
• International vaccination certificate
• Property purchase agreement or promise of purchase agreement, free from encumbrances
• Declaration from a Cape Verdean licensed financial institution confirming the effective transfer of capital from abroad for the property acquisition
• Property registration certificate from the Land Registry confirming the acquisition or promise of purchase in the applicant’s name
• Construction contract if the property is under construction

Route to Citizenship

The Green Card grants permanent residency with no minimum stay requirement. The permit is renewed every five years provided the applicant continues to own the qualifying property.

After five years of habitual residence in Cape Verde, Green Card holders become eligible to apply for Cape Verdean citizenship by naturalization.

Naturalization requires proof of habitual residence over the five-year period, good moral and civil fitness, financial self-sufficiency, and age of majority or emancipation under Cape Verdean law. 

Cape Verde permits dual nationality. Applicants are not required to relinquish their prior citizenship.

Mobility and Taxation

Mobility

Cape Verdean citizens can access approximately 67 destinations visa-free or visa-on-arrival, including short-stay visa-free access to the Schengen Area, 30-day visa-free access to the United Kingdom, and visa-free access to Brazil and many African, Caribbean, and Asian countries. 

As a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Cape Verde grants its citizens visa-free entry and the right of residence across all 15 ECOWAS member states, including Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, and Côte d’Ivoire. 

Green Card holders may travel freely in and out of Cape Verde for the full five-year validity of the permit without requiring a re-entry visa. 

Tax

Cape Verde taxes residents on income sourced in Cape Verde. Foreign-source income not remitted to Cape Verde is generally not subject to Cape Verdean personal income tax. 

Personal income tax applies at progressive rates for residents. There is no capital gains tax on the sale of real estate held for more than two years, and no inheritance tax or wealth tax. 

How to Apply

The program is administered by the Directorate of Foreigners and Borders of the National Police of Cape Verde under Law No. 30/IX/2018 of 23 April 2018. Applications are submitted in person at the Directorate of Foreigners and Borders offices in Cape Verde. 

The process typically runs as follows.

• Step 1: Identify and purchase a qualifying property in Cape Verde above the applicable threshold; ensure all purchase funds are transferred from abroad through a Cape Verdean licensed financial institution and obtain the bank declaration confirming the transfer.
• Step 2: Obtain all required documents from the country of origin, including a criminal record certificate translated into Portuguese and legalized by Cape Verdean consular services or apostilled, a medical certificate, and an international vaccination certificate.
• Step 3: Obtain a valid entry visa for Cape Verde through the nearest Cape Verdean embassy or consulate before traveling, or confirm an existing valid residence status in Cape Verde.
• Step 4: Submit the full application in person at the Directorate of Foreigners and Borders with all required documents, including the property purchase agreement, Land Registry certificate, bank transfer declaration, and all personal documents for the main applicant and any included dependents.
• Step 5: Receive the Green Card permanent residence permit; processing typically takes two to four weeks from complete submission.
• Step 6: Renew the permit every five years by demonstrating continued ownership of the qualifying property and submitting updated personal documents.