Retirement residence in Cabo Verde: requirements and procedure

Cabo Verde is a common destination for foreign retirees. The legal path to living in the country is the residence framework for foreign nationals: Law No. 66/VIII/2014 of 17 July (entry, stay, exit and expulsion of foreigners), regulated by Decree-Law No. 2/2015 of 6 January, both with later amendments.

How the framework works

• Entry: foreign nationals generally need a visa or benefit from a visa exemption, as applicable; entry conditions are set by the foreigners law and its regulation.
• Residence: staying long-term requires a residence authorisation. Retirees and holders of passive income apply under the categories of the law and regulation, evidencing means of subsistence and accommodation.
• Renewal: residence authorisations are granted for fixed periods and must be renewed while the conditions persist.

Typical requirements

Applications generally require, among others:

1. valid travel document and lawful entry;
2. proof of regular income or means of subsistence (e.g. pension statements);
3. proof of accommodation;
4. criminal record and other supporting documents required by the regulation.

Requirements and fees are set by the law and its regulation and are updated from time to time; always confirm the current list with the official channels before applying.

Residency and the path to nationality

Legal residence is the foundation of any future nationality application (naturalisation requires, among other conditions, several years of habitual residence under the Nationality Law). Retirement residence does not automatically lead to citizenship.

Practical points

• keep your residence authorisation valid; gaps complicate renewals and any future naturalisation;
• long stays without regularisation carry expulsion risk under the law;
• rules and fees change; use official channels (gov.cv, consular portals) for the current procedure.

When to speak with a lawyer

Legal help is worthwhile if you have complex income structures, spent long periods out of the country, face a refusal, or plan to naturalise later. The directory lists lawyers in this field.

This page is general information, not legal advice.