Cape Verde
A mixed pick with real trade-offs. Ranked 51 of 55, strongest on affordability, softest on retiree visa.
- Healthcare 55
- Retiree visa 22
- Affordability 78
- Safety 76
- Climate 56
- Expat community not verified58
1 of 6 axes rest on data we could not verify yet; those score a neutral 50 and are marked "not verified".
- Retirement visaNocapeverde.com
- Min incomeNot verified yet
- Monthly budgetLower than the USnumbeo.com
- HealthcareFairexpatriatehealthcare.com
- SafetySafetravel.state.gov
- Top citiesPraia, Mindelo, Sal
Good to know
- Low cost of livingEstimated about $786/month for a single person excluding rent (Numbeo).numbeo.com
- Safe for retireesUS State Department Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) overall, but Praia is rated Level 2 (increased caution) due to pickpocketing, muggings and armed robbery.travel.state.gov
Watch out for
- No dedicated retirement visacapeverde.com
- Expat community data not verified yet
Visa & residency
Autorizacao de Residencia (temporary or permanent residence permit); no dedicated retirement visa
No verified data yet
No verified data yet
Foreigners get residency via Autorizacao de Residencia (temporary permit renewed annually; permanent after 5 years). Requires proof of financial stability, criminal background clearance, health certificate and proof of accommodation; processing can take up to two years.
Healthcare
Subsidised public system offers basic care with limited facilities and variable quality; hospitals lack international (JCI) accreditation. Private clinics (e.g. in Praia) are better regarded, but complex or specialised treatment is often referred abroad.
International health insurance is strongly recommended, ideally including emergency medical evacuation to countries with more advanced healthcare.
Cost of living
Safety
US State Department Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) overall, but Praia is rated Level 2 (increased caution) due to pickpocketing, muggings and armed robbery.
Climate
Warm year-round, with average temperatures from about 22C (72F) in February to 27C (81F) in September; rainfall is very low and irregular, mostly between August and October, as the islands lie in the Sahelian semi-arid belt.
Community & language
No verified data yet
Portuguese is official and Creole is universal; English is secondary, working better with younger people and in tourist areas, so Portuguese or Creole is the safest option day to day.
Portuguese is the official language; Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu) is spoken by virtually the entire population, while English is secondary and mainly used in tourist areas and with younger people.
Taxes
Residents are taxed on worldwide income, but pension income below CVE 960,000 per year is exempt from personal income tax.
Cabo Verde has double-tax treaties only with Portugal, Guinea-Bissau and Macau (no treaty with the US).
Moving & migration
To open a bank account in Cape Verde, you need a valid passport, a Numero de Identificacao Fiscal (NIF, tax identification number), proof of residence, and your residence permit (Autorizacao de Residencia). Major banks include Banco Comercial do Atlantico (BCA), Banco Caboverdiano de Negocios (BCN), and Banco Interatlantico. The Cape Verdean escudo (CVE) is pegged to the euro at a fixed rate.
Cape Verde has a subsidised public healthcare system with health centres and regional hospitals. Foreign residents can access public care but quality is variable and facilities are limited. Private clinics, particularly in Praia, offer better service. Cape Verde has no reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Comprehensive international health insurance, including medical evacuation cover, is strongly recommended as complex treatment often requires referral abroad.
Foreign driving licences are valid for up to 185 days in Cape Verde. After this period, residents must exchange their foreign licence for a Cape Verdean driving licence through the Direccao Geral de Viação e Transportes (DGVT). You may be able to exchange a valid UK licence without taking a driving test, subject to verification. An International Driving Permit may be used during the initial period.
Personal household goods and effects can be shipped to Cape Verde. A detailed inventory list, proof of residency, passport, and a baggage certificate (certificado de bagagem) from the Cape Verdean consulate may be required. Customs duties may apply to certain items. Contact the Cape Verdean embassy or consulate in your home country for current regulations before shipping.
Dogs and cats entering Cape Verde require a microchip, valid rabies vaccination (at least 30 days before travel), and a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. An import authorisation from the Cape Verdean veterinary authority (Direccao Geral da Agricultura, Silvicultura e Pecuaria) may be required in advance. Pets may be subject to health inspection upon arrival and quarantine is possible if requirements are not met.
Step 1: Apply for a temporary residence permit (Autorizacao de Residencia) at the Direccao de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras. Requirements include proof of financial stability, criminal background clearance, health certificate, and proof of accommodation. Step 2: Temporary permits are typically valid for 1 year and are renewable. Step 3: Processing can take several months to up to 2 years. Step 4: After 5 years of legal continuous residence, you may apply for permanent residency. Cape Verde recognises dual citizenship.
Popular retirement spots
Where retirees in Cape Verde tend to settle, and the honest reason why. Each note shows its source.
Praia
Capital and largest city of Cape Verde, on the south coast of Santiago island, and the country's political, economic and cultural centre.
Mindelo
Port city on Sao Vicente island, the nation's second-largest city and cultural capital, known for its music scene and carnival.
Sal
Tourist island of white-sand beaches and abundant sunshine, home to Amilcar Cabral International Airport, the country's busiest.
Questions about retiring in Cape Verde
Answered from the verified data on this page. Every answer shows its source; anything we have not confirmed says so plainly rather than guessing.
- Does Cape Verde have a retirement visa?
No dedicated retirement visa. Retirement is handled through a general residence route: Autorizacao de Residencia (temporary or permanent residence permit); no dedicated retirement visa.
capeverde.com- How much monthly income do I need to retire in Cape Verde?
This is not verified yet - check the official source before you rely on it.
- Is healthcare good for expats in Cape Verde?
Healthcare quality is rated fair. Subsidised public system offers basic care with limited facilities and variable quality; hospitals lack international (JCI) accreditation. Private clinics (e.g. in Praia) are better regarded, but complex or specialised treatment is often referred abroad. On cost: International health insurance is strongly recommended, ideally including emergency medical evacuation to countries with more advanced healthcare.
expatriatehealthcare.com- How expensive is it to retire in Cape Verde?
Lower than the US. A comfortable single-retiree budget is Estimated about $786/month for a single person excluding rent (Numbeo).
numbeo.com- Is Cape Verde safe?
Safe. US State Department Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) overall, but Praia is rated Level 2 (increased caution) due to pickpocketing, muggings and armed robbery.
travel.state.gov- What is the climate like in Cape Verde?
The climate is arid / hot semi-arid (Sahelian desert). Warm year-round, with average temperatures from about 22C (72F) in February to 27C (81F) in September; rainfall is very low and irregular, mostly between August and October, as the islands lie in the Sahelian semi-arid belt.
en.wikipedia.org- Where do retirees live in Cape Verde?
Popular retirement spots include Praia, Mindelo and Sal.
en.wikipedia.org
Compare Cape Verde with its closest rivals
The three countries whose RetireScore sits nearest.
