Guides

Buying property in Cape Verde: the steps, taxes, residence and the islands.

All guides

• Best Real Estate Agents in Cape Verde 2026? A Neutral, Index-Based Overview

  People search for the best real estate agents in Cape Verde, but no neutral dataset proves who is best. See which Cape Verde real estate agencies and portals the index tracks.

• Cape Verde Property Prices 2026: Asking Prices by Island

  How to read dated asking-price samples, coverage and withheld statistics without mistaking them for sale prices or valuations.

• Buying property in Cape Verde: the steps, in order

  How a foreign buyer buys a home in Cape Verde, in order: tax number, your own lawyer, document checks, promissory contract, payment, deed and registration.

• Cape Verde's islands compared, for buyers

  Where the homes for sale are, what they are listed for per square metre, how you get there and the weather, island by island.

• Property tax in Cape Verde from 2026: ITI and IPI

  What you pay when you buy and every year after: the rates, how they are worked out, and the exemptions that still apply.

• Cape Verde Green Card: residence for property buyers

  The minimum investment, what the status gives you, how to apply, and how it differs from citizenship.

• 7 Checks Before Buying Property in Cape Verde

  We do not have data ranking the most frequent or expensive buyer mistakes. These are practical questions to resolve before committing funds.

• Sal vs Santiago: Which Cape Verde Island Makes Sense for Property Buyers?

  Use the index to compare the advertisements we track on each island. A difference in the advertised property mix is not evidence that one island will deliver a better return.

• Buying Off-Plan Property in Cape Verde: Risks, Protections, and What to Check

  An image or advertised completion date does not prove construction progress. This checklist identifies questions to investigate; it does not rank the frequency of risks in Cape Verde.

• Managing Property in Cape Verde Remotely: A Guide for Foreign Owners

  We do not have a representative dataset of management fees, occupancy or maintenance costs. Obtain the actual contract and budget for the property rather than using a market-wide estimate.

• How to Finance a Property Purchase in Cape Verde as a Foreign Buyer

  Compare written offers from lenders: rate, term, currency, fees and what the bank asks of you. Eligibility, limits and costs come from a dated quotation for your circumstances.

• Boa Vista Property Guide: What Buyers Need to Know in 2026

  Boa Vista listings in the index are advertisements, not verified investment opportunities. This guide focuses on checks for a specific property rather than predictions about the island’s growth.

Frequently asked questions

Can foreigners buy property in Cape Verde?

Ask independent Cape Verdean counsel to confirm whether the specific property and legal interest can be acquired in your circumstances. The index does not verify title, seller authority or legal eligibility.

Do I need a Cape Verdean tax number to buy?

Confirm the tax identification and representation documents required for each buyer with DNRE, Casa do Cidadão and your lawyer. Check the current procedure before relying on a fee, processing time or document list.

Do I need a local bank account?

Confirm the payment and source-of-funds route with your bank and independent advisers. Whether a local account is required depends on the transaction and lender; do not assume a universal requirement.

What taxes apply when buying property?

Ask the tax authority or a qualified adviser for a written calculation of the taxes and charges applicable to your purchase, including the taxable base, exemptions and surcharges. The advertised price is not necessarily the legally assessed tax base.

How long does the buying process take?

There is no guaranteed standard timeline. Completion depends on title and cadastral regularity, due diligence, tax clearance, financing and notary/registry readiness. Any reservation deposit is contractual; record its amount, conditions and refundability in writing and have it reviewed before payment.

Do I need a Cape Verdean lawyer?

Independent Cape Verde legal advice is strongly recommended. Use a lawyer who does not act for the seller to check title, registrations, debts, planning status, contracts and tax position. Fees vary, so obtain a written scope and quote. Remote completion may be possible under a properly executed power of attorney.

Can I get a mortgage in Cape Verde?

Request a dated written offer directly from a lender. Eligibility, deposit, interest, term, fees and valuation requirements depend on its assessment of your circumstances. The calculator uses adjustable illustrative inputs, not verified bank terms.

Does owning property give me residency?

Do not infer residence eligibility from ownership or an asking price. Confirm the current qualifying property use, investment value, location classification, funding and application requirements with qualified counsel and the competent authority.

Are there annual property taxes?

Ask the tax authority or a qualified adviser for the annual amount applicable to the specific property. Its taxable value, classification and any exemptions or surcharges need to be checked. The calculator includes tax only when you enter an annual amount.

Can I rent out the property when I'm not there?

Confirm whether the intended rental use is permitted and which tourism, tax, licensing, condominium and operating requirements apply. Ownership or an advertised rental projection does not establish permission to operate tourist accommodation.

Which island is best for investment?

There is no universally best island. Compare the exact location, legal title, total operating costs, occupancy, long-term demand and resale depth. Treat island-wide yield or liquidity rankings cautiously unless they are supported by a current, disclosed dataset.

Can I repatriate the proceeds when I sell?

Agree the cross-border payment and transfer route with your bank and qualified advisers. Confirm current tax, investment-registration, documentary and foreign-exchange requirements for the specific transaction before relying on the ability or timing of a transfer.