Cape Verde, in the numbers that decide it
What life costs
medium confidence- One-bed flat, city
- €380/mo
- Three-bed home
- €650/mo
- Groceries, one person
- €180/mo
- Utilities
- €95/mo
- What a local salary buys
- 21/100
Ways in
Moving with family
- Family & reunification routes
- 2
- Routes through marriage
- 1
- Healthcare system
- mixed
Day-to-day life
high confidence- Healthcare
- 55/100
- English in daily life
- moderate (EF EPI 55)
- Internet speed
- 8 Mbps
Tax, in practice
medium confidence- Real rate at €90k
- 13.1%
- Take-home per month at €90k
- €5,790
- VAT
- 15%
- How it is structured
- progressive
Cabo Verde offers 14 distinct visa pathways for skilled workers and migrants in 2026. Located in West Africa, processing times range from 1–3 months. The country scores a quality of life index of 5/10 and a safety score of 6/10. Monthly living costs for a single person range from €905 depending on the city. The primary language is Portuguese with English friendliness rated 3/10. Permanent residency is achievable in as few as 5 years. Top-scoring professions for immigration include Software Engineer (6.0/10), Nurse (5.8/10), Civil Engineer (5.8/10). Overall migration friendliness is rated 7/10. Figures as of H2 2026 (official sources, last re-check).
Visa Programs
| Program | Min Income | Min Savings | Language | Processing | Path to PR | Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AR Permanente — 5 Years Continuous AR Temporária | — | — | — | — | 1 year | — |
| AR Permanente — Estrangeiro Reformado (Retiree) | — | — | — | — | 1 year | — |
| AR Temporária — Actividade Altamente Qualificada (Highly-Qualified / Researcher / Lecturer) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| AR Temporária — Actividade Profissional Independente (Self-Employed / Freelancer) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| AR Temporária — Actividade Profissional Subordinada (Employee) | — | — | — | — | 1 year | — |
| AR Temporária — Actividade de Investimento ou Actividade Económica Relevante | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| AR Temporária — Estudante do Ensino Superior | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| AR Temporária — Reagrupamento Familiar (Family Reunification) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Naturalisation — Cape Verdean Ancestry (No Residency Period) | — | — | — | — | — | 5 years |
| Naturalisation — General 5-Year Residence Track | — | — | — | — | — | 5 years |
| Naturalisation — Spouse of Cape Verdean National | — | — | — | — | — | 5 years |
| Visto Nómadas Digitais (Digital Nomad Visa) | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Visto de Residência | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Financial Requirements
No fixed income or savings threshold is published for the pathways currently tracked for this country.
Cost of Living
Top Professions for Emigrating
| Profession | Score | Est. Net Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 6.0/10 | €2,200/mo |
| Nurse (license req.) | 5.8/10 | €1,500/mo |
| Civil Engineer (license req.) | 5.8/10 | €1,800/mo |
| Accountant | 5.8/10 | €1,600/mo |
| Teacher | 5.6/10 | €1,200/mo |
Downloadable Data
Explore More: Cabo Verde
Official sources
Cape Verde
- Visto Nómadas Digitais (Digital Nomad Visa) — e-portaldef.gov.cv — last re-checked 2026-06-22
- AR Temporária — Actividade Profissional Subordinada (Employee) — e-portaldef.gov.cv — last re-checked 2026-06-24
- Green Card (Real-Estate Investor) — Lower-PIB Municipality (€80,000) — e-portaldef.gov.cv — last re-checked 2026-06-09
Figures are compiled from official government sources and re-checked on a rolling basis. Always confirm on the official page before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many immigration pathways does Cabo Verde have?
Cabo Verde: Visa Programs, Requirements & Costs (2026) has 14 active immigration pathways in 2026, including retirement, researcher, skilled worker, business investor routes. Each pathway has different requirements for income, qualifications, and experience.
What is the cost of living in Cabo Verde?
Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Praia: €905/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.
Can I get permanent residency in Cabo Verde?
Permanent residency may be available depending on the visa stream; specific timelines are not published for the pathways currently tracked.
What are the best professions for emigrating to Cabo Verde?
The highest-scoring professions for Cabo Verde are: Software Engineer, Nurse, Civil Engineer. Scores consider visa accessibility, salary competitiveness, cost of living, and quality of life.
What types of visas does Cabo Verde offer?
Cabo Verde: Visa Programs, Requirements & Costs (2026) offers the following visa categories: Retirement: AR Permanente — Estrangeiro Reformado (Retiree); Researcher: AR Temporária — Actividade Altamente Qualificada (Highly-Qualified / Researcher / Lecturer); Skilled Worker: AR Temporária — Actividade Profissional Independente (Self-Employed / Freelancer), AR Temporária — Actividade Profissional Subordinada (Employee); Business Investor: AR Temporária — Actividade de Investimento ou Actividade Económica Relevante, Green Card (Real-Estate Investor) — Higher-PIB Municipality (€120,000), Green Card (Real-Estate Investor) — Lower-PIB Municipality (€80,000); Student: AR Temporária — Estudante do Ensino Superior; Family: AR Temporária — Reagrupamento Familiar (Family Reunification), Naturalisation — Spouse of Cape Verdean National, Titular de autorização de residência.
Can I bring my family to Cabo Verde?
Yes. 14 pathways allow family members. Options include: AR Permanente — Estrangeiro Reformado (Retiree), AR Temporária — Actividade Altamente Qualificada (Highly-Qualified / Researcher / Lecturer), AR Temporária — Actividade Profissional Independente (Self-Employed / Freelancer). Spouses may also be eligible to work depending on the visa type.
Does Cabo Verde have a digital nomad or freelance visa?
Yes. Cabo Verde offers: Digital Nomad Visa. These are designed for remote workers and self-employed professionals with income from outside the country.
How long does visa processing take in Cabo Verde?
Processing times vary by pathway: AR Permanente — Estrangeiro Reformado (Retiree): ~180 days; AR Temporária — Actividade Altamente Qualificada (Highly-Qualified / Researcher / Lecturer): ~180 days; AR Temporária — Actividade Profissional Independente (Self-Employed / Freelancer): ~180 days; AR Temporária — Actividade Profissional Subordinada (Employee): ~180 days; AR Temporária — Actividade de Investimento ou Actividade Económica Relevante: ~180 days; AR Temporária — Estudante do Ensino Superior: ~180 days. Times may vary based on application volume.
What are the financial requirements to emigrate to Cabo Verde?
Most pathways currently tracked do not publish a fixed income or savings threshold; requirements depend on the visa type.
What is the quality of life like in Cabo Verde?
Cabo Verde scores quality of life: 5/10, safety: 6/10, healthcare: 5/10. These ratings consider healthcare access, public safety, infrastructure, and overall living standards for expatriates.
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