Issue · October 2026 · everything a nomad needs, city by city

Nomadzine

The visa · Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde runs a dedicated remote-work route: the Remote Working Program launched in 2020, now backed by a residence visa for remote professional activity created by Decreto-Lei n.º 13/2025 in May 2025. It suits salaried or self-employed remote workers from Europe, North America, the CPLP and ECOWAS who want six months in the islands with a six-month renewal, and it sits alongside the ordinary residence-visa and temporary-residence-permit track for anyone staying longer. The one thing to know before applying is that the online application and tracking for the new statutory visa was still marked as coming soon on the immigration portal, so the older programme form, the consulates and the DEF counters remain the practical doors.

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The routes

Researched 10 September 2026 · rules as of September 2026 · as published, not legal advice

  1. Nomad visa

    Remote Working Program / Digital Nomad residence visa

    Visto de residência para o exercício de atividade profissional remota fora do território nacional ("Nómadas Digitais") — residence visa for remote professional activity performed outside national territory; marketed as the Cabo Verde Remote Working Program

    Employees or self-employed people who work only for clients or employers outside Cabo Verde and want up to a year in the islands without entering the standard residence-permit track.

    Income floor
    The programme's published test is an average bank balance of €1,500 over the previous six months for an individual, with €2,700 cited for a family; the government programme page itself only says proof of income is required, and at least one guide reports a €2,500 gross-monthly figure, so the threshold is disputed between sources. Decreto-Lei n.º 13/2025 sets no figure that could be verified in the gazette text opened.
    Duration
    6 months, renewable once for a further 6 months, as published by both the programme page and the 2025 decree commentary.
    Cost
    Programme page: €20 visa fee per person plus €34 per person airport tax paid on arrival. Immigration portal for the statutory Nómadas Digitais visa: 5,000 CVE (about €45). The two figures have not been reconciled by any official source.
    Processing
    About two weeks for the initial decision as reported by applicant guides and a Praia law firm; no statutory deadline published. The programme states the visa is finalised in-country within 30 days of arrival.
    Eligibility
    Citizens of Europe, North America, the CPLP (Portuguese-speaking community) and ECOWAS as published by the programme; remote employment or self-employment for entities outside Cabo Verde; international health insurance; clean criminal record from the country of origin; a medical certificate is listed on the immigration portal.
    Work rights
    Remote work for employers or clients outside Cabo Verde only; the decree defines the activity as performed outside national territory. Local employment or local clients are not covered by this visa.
    Dependants
    The programme page states applicants may come alone or bring their family; the family bank-balance figure of €2,700 is reported by guides rather than the government page. No separate dependant fee is published.
    Leads to
    No published path; the visa is a six-plus-six-month stay. Time on it is not stated to count towards the five years of temporary residence needed for permanent residence.
    Apply
    Originally an online form on the Remote Working Program page; under Decreto-Lei n.º 13/2025 applications go through the DEF digital platform (e-Residência) or in person at the Direção de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras or National Police regional commands. The portal's application and tracking functions for this visa were marked as coming soon when opened.

    Documents Passport (programme asks for six months' validity) · Passport photographs on a white background · Proof of income: six months of bank statements or three months of income receipts · Proof of the link with the remote employer or client (contract or engagement letter) · Criminal record certificate from the country of origin · International health insurance covering the stay · Proof of accommodation in Cabo Verde (booking or rental agreement) · Medical certificate (listed by the immigration portal for the statutory visa)

    Official page →

  2. Freelance / self-employed

    Temporary residence permit for independent professional activity

    Autorização de residência temporária — exercício de atividade profissional independente

    Freelancers and service providers who intend to base themselves in Cabo Verde for years, including those who want to take Cabo Verdean clients.

    Income floor
    None published as a figure; the law requires proof of adequate means of subsistence and housing.
    Duration
    2 years from issue, renewable for successive 2-year periods; renewal must be requested at least 45 days before expiry, and the receipt is valid for 60 renewable days.
    Cost
    Not published on the pages opened.
    Processing
    Not published; a residence visa allows a six-month stay extendable while the permit decision is pending.
    Eligibility
    Must hold a residence visa, be present in Cabo Verde, show means of subsistence and housing, hold a tax identification number (NIF), and have no disqualifying criminal conviction.
    Work rights
    Independent professional activity in Cabo Verde, so local clients are allowed; foreign remote clients are not restricted.
    Dependants
    Holders may apply for family reunification for a spouse, minor children and adopted minors from abroad.
    Leads to
    Permanent residence after 5 years of temporary residence (3 years for foreigners born in Cabo Verde), subject to means, housing, a clean record and knowledge of the national and official language; permanent status has no expiry but is renewed every 5 years.
    Apply
    Residence visa at a Cabo Verdean consulate, then the permit through the e-Residência portal (Autentika login) or the DEF in Cabo Verde.

    Documents Residence visa issued by a consulate · Proof of means of subsistence · Proof of housing in Cabo Verde · Tax identification number (NIF) · Criminal record certificate · Passport

    Official page →

  3. Long stay

    Residence visa and temporary residence permit (employment, investment, study)

    Visto de residência / Autorização de residência temporária

    People with a Cabo Verdean employment contract, an investment project, a course of more than one year or family in the country.

    Income floor
    None published as a figure; proof of financial means is required at visa stage and means of subsistence at permit stage.
    Duration
    Residence visa: 6 months, extendable until the permit is decided. Permit: 2 years, renewable in 2-year periods.
    Cost
    Not published on the pages opened.
    Processing
    Not published.
    Eligibility
    Any nationality; purpose must be professional activity, investment, study of more than a year or family reunification; health and vaccination certificates and a criminal record may be requested.
    Work rights
    Employment or business activity in Cabo Verde as authorised; remote work for abroad is not addressed.
    Dependants
    Family reunification for spouse and minor or adopted children once the permit is held.
    Leads to
    Permanent residence after 5 years of temporary residence, with the language and means conditions above.
    Apply
    Residence visa at a consulate via the Portal Consular; permit at the DEF or e-Residência.

    Documents Passport · Proof of accommodation · Proof of financial means · Health certificate and vaccination certificate where requested · Criminal record certificate where requested · Evidence of the purpose (contract, enrolment, investment)

    Official page →

  4. Temporary stay

    Temporary visa

    Visto temporário

    Nationals who are not visa-exempt, or exempt nationals who want more than 30 days, for cultural travel, business missions, short professional assignments, medical treatment or family visits.

    Income floor
    None published as a figure; proof of financial means required.
    Duration
    Ordinary: 180 days, single entry, to be used within 180 days of issue. Multiple entry: up to 90 days of stay per year.
    Cost
    Not published on the consular page.
    Processing
    Not published; online ordering and in-person appointments at consulates; pre-registration five days before travel.
    Eligibility
    Any nationality; passport validity of six months per the consular page, reduced to three months by Decreto-Lei n.º 13/2025.
    Work rights
    Professional work not exceeding one year is a stated purpose; remote work for foreign employers is not addressed in the published text.
    Dependants
    Each family member applies separately.
    Leads to
    no
    Apply
    Cabo Verdean consulates abroad through the Portal Consular.

    Documents Passport · Proof of accommodation · Proof of financial means · Health and vaccination certificates where requested · Criminal record where requested

    Official page →

  5. Temporary stay

    Tourism visa

    Visto de turismo

    Nationals without a visa waiver, such as Indian, Turkish, Australian or Japanese passport holders, and exempt nationals who want a longer tourist stay.

    Income floor
    None published as a figure; proof of means required.
    Duration
    Stay of up to 90 days, extendable once for the same period; the visa must be used within 60 days of issue (the immigration authority page says 180 days).
    Cost
    Not published on the pages opened.
    Processing
    Not published; consular applications only since 1 January 2026 for the affected nationalities.
    Eligibility
    Any nationality; accommodation and means; passport validity as above.
    Work rights
    Recreational purposes only as published; remote work is not addressed.
    Dependants
    Each traveller applies separately.
    Leads to
    no
    Apply
    Cabo Verdean embassies and consulates; the on-arrival option via EASE ended on 1 January 2026.

    Documents Passport · Proof of accommodation · Proof of financial means · Return or onward ticket where requested

    Official page →

Without a visa, by passport

The stay you get on arrival, and whether working remotely on it is tolerated

  • EU / EEA / Switzerland30 days, visa-free since 1 January 2019; EASE pre-registration and 3,400 CVE airport security taxRemote work on the tourist stay is not addressed in any published rule; guides treat it as tolerated in practice, so grey.
  • United Kingdom30 days visa-free; EASE pre-registration and 3,400 CVE airport security taxNot addressed in published rules; grey in practice.
  • United States30 days visa-free; EASE pre-registration and airport security taxNot addressed in published rules; grey in practice.
  • Canada30 days visa-free; EASE pre-registration and airport security taxNot addressed in published rules; grey in practice.
  • Brazil30 days visa-free; EASE pre-registration and airport security taxNot addressed in published rules; grey in practice. CPLP nationals are also a named target group of the remote-work visa.
  • South Africa30 days visa-free; EASE pre-registration and airport security taxNot addressed in published rules; grey in practice.
  • AustraliaNot on the government exemption list; visa required. Whether an on-arrival option survived the 1 January 2026 change was not verifiedAny work on a tourist visa is outside its stated recreational purpose.
  • IndiaVisa required in advance from an embassy or consulate; the EASE on-arrival visa ended 1 January 2026Any work on a tourist visa is outside its stated recreational purpose.
  • TurkeyVisa required in advance; the on-arrival visa ended 1 January 2026Any work on a tourist visa is outside its stated recreational purpose.
  • JapanNot on the government exemption list; visa requiredNot addressed in published rules.
  • Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique180 days visa-freeNot addressed in published rules.
  • Russia, São Tomé and Príncipe60 days visa-freeNot addressed in published rules.

Tax

When the country starts counting you as its taxpayer

Residency trigger
Tax residency under the personal income tax code (IRPS) is reported by practitioner sources as more than 183 days in Cabo Verde in any 12-month period, with residents taxed on worldwide income and non-residents only on Cabo Verdean-source income at flat rates equal to the resident scale. Residents pay 16.5% on taxable income up to 960,000 CVE, 23.1% to 1,800,000 CVE and 27.5% above, with net income up to 220,000 CVE a year exempt. The 183-day figure comes from advisory sources rather than a government page opened.
Special regime
The Remote Working Program page states that remote workers in Cabo Verde are exempt from income tax, and the same claim is repeated by applicant guides, but no tax-authority text confirming the exemption or its dates was found. The 2025 decree sets the visa, not a tax regime, so the exemption's legal basis is unverified.
Social security
INPS contributions are 23% of salary for employees, split 15% employer and 8% employee, due by the 15th of the following month. A self-employed rate of 19.5% is reported by a payroll provider but was not found on the INPS page opened. A remote worker paid by a foreign employer with no Cabo Verdean payroll is not addressed in the published rules; no certificate-of-coverage procedure is published.
Treaties
Double-taxation treaties in force with Portugal, Macau and Guinea-Bissau only; a treaty with Angola was signed in August 2019 but is not in force. Residents can credit foreign income tax up to the Cabo Verdean tax on the same income. For a remote employee or contractor from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, India, Brazil or South Africa there is no treaty, so relief depends on unilateral credit at home.

Practicalities

EASE pre-registration and airport tax
All non-resident visitors pre-register online up to five days before departure and pay the airport security tax of 3,400 CVE (about €31); the programme page quotes €34 on arrival.
Passport validity
Consulates still publish six months; Decreto-Lei n.º 13/2025 cut the minimum for entry to three months.
Tax number (NIF)
A tax identification number is a statutory condition for a temporary residence permit and is issued by the tax administration (DNRE).
Accommodation registration
Hosts file accommodation bulletins (boletins de alojamento) for foreign guests; the 2025 amendment moved these to electronic systems with new inspection rules.
Health insurance
International health insurance for the whole stay is a listed condition of the remote-work visa; a medical certificate is also listed on the immigration portal.
Immigration services online
Since May 2025 visa, residence permit, responsibility-term and residence-certificate requests are meant to be submitted online through the e-Residência portal, which uses the Autentika login.
Overstay
Foreigners who need to stay beyond the permitted period must apply to the DEF for authorisation; fine amounts were not found on the pages opened.

Cabo Verde: a six-month remote-work visa with a new statutory footing, and 30 days visa-free for most Western passports

Where remote workers base and which route they use

Cabo Verde has courted remote workers since December 2020, when the tourism ministry opened the Remote Working Program: a six-month stay, renewable once, for people working for employers or clients abroad, aimed at Europe, North America, Portuguese-speaking countries and West Africa. Applicants apply online, show an average bank balance of around €1,500 over six months, health insurance, accommodation and a clean record, and pay a €20 visa fee plus the airport tax. The programme page says everyone is welcome, family included.

In May 2025 the government gave that scheme a statutory basis. Decreto-Lei n.º 13/2025 amended the foreigners' entry-and-stay decree to create a residence visa for remote professional activity performed outside national territory, and the immigration authority's new e-Residência portal lists a Nómadas Digitais visa with a 5,000 CVE fee and a document list of passport, criminal record, remote-work contract, income proof, accommodation and a medical certificate. When that page was opened the application and tracking buttons still read as coming soon.

Most remote workers cluster on Sal and São Vicente, with Praia on Santiago for those who need the capital's services. Anyone planning more than a year moves to the ordinary track: a residence visa from a consulate, then a two-year temporary residence permit, with an independent professional activity category for freelancers who want local clients.

What applicants report about the process

Guides and a Praia law firm both report initial decisions in about two weeks, with the visa finalised in Cabo Verde within 30 days of landing. The income test is where sources diverge: the government page asks only for proof of income, most guides quote €1,500 for an individual and €2,700 for a family, and one quotes €2,500 gross a month. No official page reconciles these, and the 2025 decree text opened did not contain a figure.

The fee is likewise stated two ways, €20 on the programme page and 5,000 CVE on the immigration portal, which suggests the 2020 programme and the 2025 statutory visa are being run in parallel for now. Consulates still publish six months' passport validity even though the decree cut the entry minimum to three months, so travellers should assume the stricter figure at the counter.

The five-year temporary residence path to permanent status requires demonstrated knowledge of the national and official language, adequate means and housing, and no conviction above one year. Renewal must be filed 45 days before expiry; the receipt covers the holder for 60 days at a time.

Tax, social security and daily money

The programme advertises income-tax exemption for remote workers, but the claim rests on the tourism ministry's page rather than on a tax code provision or ruling that could be found. Under the personal income tax code, more than 183 days in a 12-month period makes someone a resident taxed on worldwide income at 16.5%, 23.1% and 27.5%, with the first 220,000 CVE a year exempt. Cabo Verde has treaties only with Portugal, Macau and Guinea-Bissau, so for most nomads relief comes from a unilateral credit at home.

INPS social security takes 23% of salary from local employment, split 15% employer and 8% employee. The rules are silent on a remote worker paid entirely by a foreign employer, and no certificate-of-coverage procedure is published. Practicalities such as opening a bank account or registering a SIM as a foreigner were not covered by any official page opened and are left out here.

What is changing

The direction is towards digital processing and tighter entry control at the same time. From January 2026 the on-arrival visa disappeared for 96 nationalities, so Indian, Turkish and many Latin American and Asian passport holders now need a consular visa before flying, while EU, UK, US, Canadian, Brazilian and South African travellers keep 30 days visa-free with EASE pre-registration and the 3,400 CVE airport tax.

The open question for September 2026 is when the immigration portal's Nómadas Digitais application goes live and whether the government publishes a single income figure and fee; until then the 2020 programme form and the DEF counters remain the practical route.

Researched from visit-caboverde.com · e-portaldef.gov.cv · boe.incv.cv · expressodasilhas.cv · cmalex.net · aai.gov.cv · portalconsular.mnec.gov.cv · gov.cv · eeas.europa.eu · visasnews.com · the authority